August 07, 2020
Civil Defence opens emergency doors to Maori
The Minister of Civil Defence says he’s on track to make the service more responsive to Maori.
Peeni Henare picked up the portfolio a year ago, and he’s had to deal with fires, floods, droughts, the Whakaari-White Island eruption and COVID-19.
He says COVID-19, in particular, showed how civil defence could work with Whānau Ora, marae and other networks that bring in Māori, Pasifika, young people and other sectors of society who are not usually involved in first response to the disaster.
"We’re on a pathway that will see us connect with our community more, get those community voices into the decision making when it comes to Civil Defence, but of course that is a work plan ahead of us and we've got an election to get through but I'm hopeful that Civil Defence can be far more responsive and inclusive of our people," Mr Henare says.
Peeni Henare
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