Effective Co-Governance of Natural Disasters

Intern

Jael Reiri, Ngāti Kahungunu ki Heretaunga; ki Wairarapa, Rangitāne, Waikato Tainui, Ngāti Tūwharetoa, Ngāti Raukawa, Ngāti Porou, Ngāti Pāhauwera, Ngāti Rongomaiwāhine, Te Pūkenga Eastern Institute of Technology

Supervisor

Associate Professor Dr Robert Joseph, The University of Waikato

Overview

This internship project looked at the effects of Cyclone Gabrielle within the Hawke’s Bay area, and the response by Government, local Council and communities. 

In Hawke’s Bay, Cyclone Gabrielle ravaged homes and communities during the early hours on February 14th 2023. The full extent of this disastrous event would not be known to those that lived in the district for some days. What was known, however, is that support from authorities saw a delayed response throughout the region. This resulted in no power to thousands of homes for days, and for many whānau – weeks. Transport was restricted between Hastings and Napier as bridges were destroyed or deemed too unsafe for use. Limited communication meant that communities relied on each other to do whatever they could to ensure each other’s safety and wellbeing.

The objectives for this project were:

1. To gather information about Cyclone Gabrielle and the effects of it on local Māori and communities in Hawke’s Bay.
2. How can Māori and non-Māori communities appropriately prepare for, respond to, and establish a co-governing recovery action plan against climate change using Cyclone Gabrielle as an example.
3. To develop, an effective co-governance response plan between Māori and Local Government in preparation for future natural disasters.