Skip to main content
Rangahau · Internship project

Effective Co-Governance of Natural Disasters

About this research

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.

This project investigated the impacts of Cyclone Gabrielle on Māori and wider communities in Hawke’s Bay, highlighting the delayed government response. It explored how co-governance between Māori and local authorities could improve disaster preparedness and recovery planning.

Ētahi atu · Other projects

Full project

He huringa āhuarangi, he huringa ao: a changing climate, a changing world
Matakitenga · Framework
  • Pae Tawhiti
Wā rangahau · Timeline Commenced 2021 · Completed 2021

A new report from Ngā Pae o te Māramatanga (NPM) and Manaaki Whenua Landcare Research provides guidance for Te Ao Māori on climate change adaptation and mitigation. He huringa āhuarangi, he huringa ao: a changing climate, a changing world was produced by a multidisciplinary Māori research team working across many research institutions. Using a novel kaupapa…

View project

Research Programme

21-24RP01He oranga whānau: mahi ngātahi: Whānau livelihoods within the context of work and Māori economies of wellbeing
Kaiārahi · Project lead Professor Chellie Spiller
Whare wānanga · Host University of Waikato
Matakitenga · Framework
Wā rangahau · Timeline Commenced 2022 · Completed 2025

He oranga whānau: mahi ngātahi: Whānau livelihoods within the context of work and Māori economies of wellbeing. These groundbreaking works celebrate Māori futures rooted in kaupapa Māori values while fostering pathways for responsible relationships, meaningful lives, and flourishing Indigenous wellbeing economies. By emphasising the central role of whānau…

View project

Internship project

21-22INT10Investigating traditional mahinga kai practices of preservation throughout Aotearoa
Whare wānanga · Host University of Otago
Matakitenga · Framework
Wā rangahau · Timeline Commenced 2021 · Completed 2022

This internship compiled a database of traditional Māori food preservation practices to better understand archaeological midden sites and mahinga kai history. Working with Otago’s SPAR team, the project links historical knowledge with contemporary preservation techniques across Aotearoa.

View project