Scoop has an Ethical Paywall
Work smarter with a Pro licence Learn More
Parliament

Gordon Campbell | Parliament TV | Parliament Today | Video | Questions Of the Day | Search

 

Māori input for disaster relief planning is key

Hon Te Ururoa Flavell

Te Minita Whānau Ora

Minister for Whānau Ora

29 November 2016

Māori input for disaster relief planning is key

Kaikōura’s Takahanga Marae is a shining example that Māori are a vital cog during a civil emergency says Minister of Whānau Ora Te Ururoa Flavell.

The call comes after the Minister visited Kaikōura on Saturday, 26 November, to see how whanau were after the 7.8 magnitude quake earlier this month.

Mr Flavell says the marae worked alongside the Civil Defence despite not being a designated centre in their efforts to help more than 800 tourists who were stranded in the small seaside settlement after the quake struck.

“What this visit has shown me is the importance of recognising what Māori contribute when a disaster hits. They open their marae, their homes, their cupboards, their manaaki to everyone and often get no recognition or acknowledgement.

“I visited Takahanga Marae and talked to the whānau there. They are amazing and I want to acknowledge them and the other marae who have stepped up and still have their doors open to those who are left in Kaikōura.

“Sometimes they put their own immediate needs to one side so that they can support the whole community. In the case of Takahanga this manaakitanga extended to a significant number of international visitors and tourists. Koia nei tētahi mihi ki a koutou.

“It is also imperative Māori are involved in the planning for a natural disaster. Our people know what to do in these times of crisis. They just get stuck in and do the work. They know who is in charge and what needs to be done.”

Advertisement - scroll to continue reading

Are you getting our free newsletter?

Subscribe to Scoop’s 'The Catch Up' our free weekly newsletter sent to your inbox every Monday with stories from across our network.

Mr Flavell was also there to see Government agencies, who had people on the ground quickly after the quake to help co-ordinate services for whānau in the disaster affected area.

“I am pleased to have had positive feedback from whānau and other disaster relief agencies in how Te Puni Kōkiri, Ngāi Tahu and Te Pūtahitanga Whānau Ora Commissioning Agency have been able to mobilise immediately to support the people here in Kaikōura.”

Mr Flavell says it was overwhelming to see the devastation which had impacted on the tiny settlement where he once worked as a teacher.

“To see the damaged buildings and how much the sea bed has risen is incredible. The land scape has changed so much, places where I used to go diving is now land. It’s just incredibly frightening to see the force Rūaumoko can have on an area.

“What also has to be remembered is the economic impact this is and will have on the locals. I’ve met with local businesses like Whale Watch Kaikōura and Ngāi Tahu Fisheries and I have taken their concerns on board and will report them back to my colleagues in Parliament.”

ends

© Scoop Media

Advertisement - scroll to continue reading
 
 
 
Parliament Headlines | Politics Headlines | Regional Headlines


Gordon Campbell: On The US Opposition To Mortgage Interest Deductibility For Landlords


Should landlords be able to deduct the interest on the loans they take out to bankroll their property speculation? The US Senate Budget Committee and Bloomberg News don't think this is a good idea, for reasons set out below. Regardless, our coalition government has been burning through a ton of political capital by giving landlords a huge $2.9 billion tax break via interest deductibility, while still preaching the need for austerity to the disabled, and to everyone else...
More


 
 

Government: Concerns Conveyed To China Over Cyber Activity
Foreign Minister Winston Peters has confirmed New Zealand’s concerns about cyber activity have been conveyed directly to the Chinese Government. “The Prime Minister and Minister Collins have expressed concerns today about malicious cyber activity... More

ALSO:


Government: GDP Decline Reinforces Government’s Fiscal Plan

Declining GDP for the December quarter reinforces the importance of restoring fiscal discipline to public spending and driving more economic growth, Finance Minister Nicola Willis says... More

ALSO:


Government: Humanitarian Support For Gaza & West Bank

Winston Peters has announced NZ is providing a further $5M to respond to the extreme humanitarian need in Gaza and the West Bank. “The impact of the Israel-Hamas conflict on civilians is absolutely appalling," he said... More


Government: New High Court Judge Appointed

Judith Collins has announced the appointment of Wellington Barrister Jason Scott McHerron as a High Court Judge. Justice McHerron graduated from the University of Otago with a BA in English Literature in 1994 and an LLB in 1996... More

 
 
 
 
 
 

LATEST HEADLINES

  • PARLIAMENT
  • POLITICS
  • REGIONAL
 
 

InfoPages News Channels


 
 
 
 

Join Our Free Newsletter

Subscribe to Scoop’s 'The Catch Up' our free weekly newsletter sent to your inbox every Monday with stories from across our network.