Ngāti Kahungunu and EPOD: Simultaneously Leading the Way in Emergency Preparedness and Resilience

We are proud to share that EPOD was recently featured in Bay Buzz, highlighting the proactive steps Ngāti Kahungunu and EPOD are taking to enhance disaster resilience and preparedness. While EPOD works extensively with iwi across New Zealand, Ngāti Kahungunu has carried out their own, separate emergency container project to address the unique needs of their communities.

Bayden Barber, Chair of the Ngāti Kahungunu Iwi Board, explained the motivation behind taking an independent approach to preparedness:

“We’re not anywhere near prepared at the moment. Most of our communities are still reeling from the last disaster and haven’t lifted their head out of the mud for the next one.”
— Bayden Barber, Ngāti Kahungunu Iwi

Recognizing the vulnerabilities in Hawke’s Bay, particularly in areas prone to flooding and coastal risks, Barber and his team have distributed containers packed with essential emergency supplies to marae throughout the region. These containers are part of a locally driven project aimed at addressing gaps in Civil Defence support.

“We were able to get some funding through the government to make our marae more resilient, and they can be prepared for the next Cyclone Gabrielle.”
— Bayden Barber, Ngāti Kahungunu Iwi

While Ngāti Kahungunu’s emergency container project is currently independent of EPOD’s work, EPOD’s community-driven approach continues to align with initiatives across New Zealand. Harry McPhail, General Manager of EPOD, explained the importance of focusing on community-led disaster preparedness:

“We have come up with an alternative emergency management system that is community driven, community enabled, and community focused. We believe it will have a significant positive impact against any future disasters or emergencies.”
— Harry McPhail, EPOD General Manager

Recently, Minister for Emergency Management and Recovery, Mark Mitchell, visited EPOD to learn more about the innovative strategies and tools EPOD is deploying to help communities across the country prepare for future disasters. His visit underscored the growing recognition of the critical role that both iwi-led and community-driven approaches play in building resilience and ensuring preparedness.

While Ngāti Kahungunu operates their own project, EPOD continues to collaborate with iwi, including Ngāi Tahu in the South Island, as well as councils and Civil Defence branches, to ensure that communities are well-prepared for future challenges.

See the link to the full article here:

EPODS for Ngati Kahungunu

Stay tuned for more updates on our efforts to support iwi and communities across Aotearoa!