March 21, 2023
Marae show future beyond disaster response
Ngāti Kahungunu chair Bayden Barber says marae in Hawke’s Bay are continuing to provide significant support as the community rebuilds from Cyclone Gabrielle.
He says they’re important for the well being of not only Māori but the whole community.
It points to a future where they’re seen not just as places to go in times of emergency but as wider hubs for community wellbeing.
“I’ve seen them just humming and our people have been working them so there’s always a silver lining in disasters and this is one of them – the ability and the opportunity for our people to upskill, to get their tickets in civil defence emergency, but also for our marae to be seen as places that are the glue to the community,” Mr Barber says.
He says during the past 6 weeks some Maori have become experts first responders and service coordinators.