[...]
Māori communities - many of whom are located in coastal, rural, and geographically vulnerable areas - face disproportionate risks before, during, and after extreme weather events.
[...]
Colonisation pushed many Māori communities onto:
- flood-prone land,
- erosion-prone coastal stretches,
- rural areas with limited infrastructure investment.
[...]
When storms hit, Māori land - much of it multiply-owned and difficult to insure or develop - faces higher risk and slower recovery.
[...]
Māori are more likely to live in:
- overcrowded homes,
- older housing stock,
- rentals with poorer conditions.
When floods, storms, and earthquakes hit, these homes sustain more damage, making evacuation more urgent and recovery more expensive.
[...]
Disaster planning has historically been centred on government agencies rather than building leadership and decision-making authority with mana whenua.
However, recent disasters have shown how iwi-led responses can be more agile, culturally appropriate, and effective-if properly supported.