BESPOKE NUHAKA RESILIENCE PLAN
A Nuhaka Resilience Plan developed by the community is the goal of George Rarere, Community Resilience Project Manager for Nuhaka Ngāi Rakaipaaka.
The former Government policy writer aims to collect feedback from more than 75% of the Nuhaka community on how Nuhaka will look in 10 years and the obstacles and solutions for the village and surrounding areas.
The resilience plan will be based on critical points across social, cultural, economic, environmental, and organisational factors and align with the Rakaipaaka iwi strategy.
With decades of Government experience, George and his wife Rebecca retired to Nuhaka a year ago.
George was born in Mahanga, with his Rakaipaaka connection through his mum’s side. The couple chose Nuhaka for its isolation, environment and whānau, adding that you know when the calling comes to return to your people.
Just months after moving home, the community was hit by Cyclone Gabrielle and flooding two weeks later and then again in November with a significant flooding event.
“It hurts when we see whānau struggling. My trigger was the early November weather event. I saw our people experience flooding and saw the frustrations, sadness and water around the whare.
“Developing a plan now is based on future-proofing and building resilience. We have short-, medium- and long-term plans, from establishing Neighbourhood Watch to developing evacuation plans for different emergencies.
“We need to build a resilience plan that everyone feeds into, and we are doing that by gathering whānau voices and through a survey, with the final plan expected to be completed by the end of February.”
George’s working history includes working in nine Pacific countries supporting the New Zealand horticultural industry with workers. That Pacifica connection is part of Nuhaka’s future resilience with the Wairoa district’s growing Pacifica community and their trade qualifications an untapped resource.
“Our plan will encompass our total community, and by engaging with at least 75% of our community, it will hold credibility.”
Te Iwi o Rakaipaaka Trust general manager Johnina Symes said George is a perfect example of whānau bringing their skills home to help their community. “Nuhaka’s need for resilience was identified, and through Red Cross funding, we are able to develop a localised resilience plan. Our small community has been impacted twice with our homes, our marae and our school flooding. Our community is concerned, and this work has been highlighted as urgent.”
Caption: George Rarere, Community Resilience Project Manager for Nuhaka Ngāti Rakaipaaka, is working with the community to develop a bespoke resilience plan.
4 November 2024
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