November 29, 2016
Marae disaster role needs recognition in planning
Maori Development Minister Te Ururoa Flavell says he wants to see more Maori involvement in planning for natural disasters.
Mr Flavell, who started his teaching career in Kaikoura, visited the earthquake-ravaged town on Saturday and spent time at Takahanga Marae and Whale Watch Kaikoura.
He says despite not being a designated centre, the marae worked worked alongside Civil Defence to help more than 800 tourists stranded when access to the town was cut off.
He says when disasters hit, Maori open their marae, their homes, their cupboards, their manaaki to everyone and often get no recognition or acknowledgement.
Mr Flavell says Te Puni Kokiri and the South Island whanau ora commissioning agency, Te Putahitanga, also mobilised quickly to support residents.
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