In Dannevirke, Faafoi met Tararua District Mayor Tracey Collis, council chief executive Blair King and council's manager of strategy and district development Peter Wimsett.
"We appreciated the opportunity to share with Minister Faafoi the geographical challenges we deal with in the Tararua District and some of the mitigation we have in place for the public such as our Alliance having capabilities at all times in both the north and southern parts of our district," Collis said.
"We highlighted the local civil defence groups which operate in each of our towns and how valuable they are in events such as the Eketahuna earthquake.
"Blair was able to share directly on his experiences being part of the Technical Advisory Group assisting Government officials with the review, as well as a member of Dannevirke Volunteer Fire Brigade and Urban Search and Rescue.
"It was helpful for the minister to understand the relationships we have with our neighbouring councils, Hawke's Bay and Wairarapa and not just Horizons Regional Council, in these situations."
Wimsett shared council's plans and systems, along with some footage of the Hikurangi Subduction Zone - New Zealand's biggest risk area for tsunamis where there is currently a huge international effort closely monitoring long-lasting, silent "slow-slip" earthquakes.
The Hikurangi zone, the boundary where the Pacific tectonic plate dives beneath the North Island, is thought capable of unleashing massive "mega-thrust" earthquakes and quick-fire tsunamis.
In January, Faafoi released a report into how New Zealand responded to natural disasters and emergencies, the Ministerial Review Better Responses to Natural Disasters and other Emergencies in New Zealand.
A technical advisory group (TAG) was formed to provide advice and Faafoi hopes to be in a position to confirm the Government response to the TAG recommendations later this year.
The TAG was set up following the 2016 Kaikoura earthquakes and the Port Hills fires emergency in February 2017 to review the current response framework.
The TAG was tasked with providing advice and options to the Government on the most appropriate operational and legislative mechanisms to support effective responses to natural disasters and other emergencies in New Zealand.
"I am extremely grateful to the regions for the openness and consideration given to how we can improve so far," Faafoi said.
"Iwi, who are extremely important in providing a response in many rural communities, have also generously contributed their time and expertise and this all makes for a strong response and stronger system for when we need it."