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28 May 2021, 4:13 PM
The Manawatū-Whanganui Civil Defence and Emergency Management (MWCDEM) Group held a workshop at Te Poho o Tuariki in Marton last week with representatives of iwi and hapū from across the region to better understand the potential consequences of a major flood or earthquake, and how these types of events may impact Māori across their rohe (region).
The MWCDEM Group recently began the process of reviewing the risks posed by hazards within the region as part of the overall review of the MWCDEM Group Plan, a document that outlines the aims and objectives of the group over the next five years. This process has involved workshops with interested parties to better understand the potential consequences of each hazard for the region across four specific areas – social, built, economic and natural environments. Engagement with tangata whenua also reflects the National Disaster Resilience Strategy objective to build the relationship between emergency management organisations and iwi and hapū groups representing Māori, to ensure greater recognition, understanding and integration of iwi/Māori perspectives and tikanga in emergency management. Workshop facilitator and hazards project lead from Toa Consulting, Jim Tetlow, says the level of engagement from iwi in this process has been impressive. “It’s clear that there is a desire to see the capability of iwi and hapū recognised within the plans for future events,” says Mr Tetlow, “and this is just one part of a wider journey the MWCDEM Group is currently undertaking alongside tangata whenua. “The workshop will help the Group to understand more clearly the specific consequences of emergency events to Māori and help to shape a Group plan that is more reflective of this.” MWCDEM Group Iwi Advisor Chris Kumeroa says the representatives in attendance will now inform their tribal entities that the process has begun and will look forward to updates as the work progresses. “I think we can all give ourselves a pat on the back,” says Mr Kumeroa. “This is genuine Treaty relationship building and will mean a lot to tangata whenua in our region.” The Manawatū-Whanganui Civil Defence Emergency Management Group (The Group) is a consortium of the Manawatū-Whanganui region local authorities and is established under the Civil Defence Emergency Management Act 2002. The Group’s role is to lead coordination of civil defence emergency management in the region. Governance comes from the Joint Standing Committee, which includes the mayors and regional council chair. They are supported by the Coordinating Executive Group (CEG), which comprises senior leaders from the local authorities, iwi, Police, Fire and Emergency, St John, Defence, and many other government and non-government agencies. The Group’s activities, obligations, and powers are set out in the Group Plan. Workshop attendees: Dallas McLeod Ngaa Rauru Kiitahi Tama Pokai Ngaa Rauru Kiitahi Marj Heeney Ngāi Te Ohuake Dianne Saunders Ngāti Tamakopiri Jenny Tamakehu Ngāti Tamaūpoko Beryl Miller Ngāti Tūpoho Desiree McLean Ngāti Tūpoho Te Rangi Maniapoto Ngāti Tūwharetoa Alan Turia Ngā Wairiki Ngāti Apa Taylor Mihaere Rangitāne o Tamaki nui a Rua Correy Adams Tuhua Hikurangi Regional Management Committee Arthur Tane Tuhua Hikurangi Regional Management Committee Nardia Gower Rangitīkei District Council Sharon Grant Rangitīkei District Council Lequan Meihana Rangitīkei District Council Mitchell Brown Fire and Emergency NZ (FENZ) George Mana Fire and Emergency NZ (FENZ) Ian Wilson National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) Jim Tetlow Toa Consulting – Hazards Project Lead Chris Kumeroa MWCDEM Group Iwi Advisor Jonathan Procter MWCDEM Group Iwi Advisor Stephen Dunn Horizons Regional Council Jerald Twomey Horizons Regional Council Ged Shirley Horizons Regional Council/CEG Chair