Implementing new requirements, updating emergency management plans and engaging with iwi Māori and communities disproportionately affected by disasters are expected to have a four-year cost of about $82.8million.
Local Government New Zealand said the government planned to get councils to cover the bill.
Cr Steve Walker was one person to observe this was "yet another example in the continuing trend of loading more costs and responsibilities on to councils and expecting ratepayers to pick up the tab".
Cr Mandy Mayhem has often been part of community responses north of Dunedin, such as providing food when motorists are stranded.
"We’ve got good people here," she said.
"I think the government is asking a lot."
"The government has to stop punishing councils."
A Cabinet paper said proposed changes should make the emergency management system stronger by clarifying roles and obligations.
In particular, there would be clarity about who was in control during emergencies and accountability at the local level, the paper said.
Objectives included enabling a higher minimum standard of emergency management, minimising disruption to essential services and strengthening the participation of communities and iwi Māori in emergency management.
Local Government New Zealand chief executive Susan Freeman-Greene said imposition of compliance requirements would come with no additional funding.
Councils would have to increase rates to cover the extra costs, she said.
"Like the government, councils want to keep rates down," Ms Freeman-Greene said.
"But rates are the only way they can cover these kinds of costs imposed by central government."
The government intends to introduce and pass the Emergency Management Bill during this term of Parliament.
