14 July 2024 – Update

First EPOD Delivered: A Milestone in Our Partnership with Te Rūnanga o Ngāi Tahu

At FIRST72, we are dedicated to fostering resilient communities capable of handling emergencies with confidence and efficiency. Today, we are thrilled to announce a significant milestone in our partnership with Te Rūnanga o Ngāi Tahu—the delivery of the first of 22 state-of-the-art emergency pods to Marae Sites across the South Island, preparing for the inevitable Alpine Fault Magnitude (AF8) event and other potential threats.

The first EPOD has been delivered to the Ngā Hau e Whā Marae, marking the beginning of a comprehensive deployment plan. This initial delivery will be followed by the West Coast, Banks Peninsula, Kaikōura, and continuing down to Dunedin and Invercargill. We are on track to have all 22 pods deployed by July 31.

 “Partnering with EPOD is essential for safeguarding our whānau. By combining our traditional knowledge with pre-positioned approaches, we can enhance our preparedness for natural disasters and protect our communities.” – Jamie Ruwhiu, programme manager of the whānau and emergency response team

This first delivery marks a significant advancement in our largest project to date and reinforces our commitment to strategic planning and community resilience. Ngāi Tahu’s careful identification of strategic sites, locations, and potential risk areas ensures our pods are placed where they are needed most.

See the below video of the first EPOD being deployed:

02 May 2024 – Update

We were thrilled to announce a groundbreaking partnership with Te Rūnanga o Ngāi Tahu that will see 22 of our EPODs deployed across the South Island in preparation for the AF8 [Alpine Fault magnitude 8] event.

The deployment of these EPODs will provide critical support and resources, making a significant impact on the safety and wellbeing of many South Island communities.

Te Waipounamu South Island has an incredibly high risk of an Alpine Fault rupture, with a 75% probability of rupture in the next 50 years.

An event of this magnitude will lead to catastrophic outcomes and will see many communities isolated, and the ability of first responders and emergency services will be limited if infrastructure is damaged.

This partnership between EPOD and Te Rūnanga o Ngāi Tahu, with the support of Te Puni Kōkiri and the Rata Foundation, is a monumental step towards enhancing New Zealand’s resilience and ensuring that our communities and whānau are well-prepared for any future natural disaster.

“Marae have become local emergency response centres after a number of natural disasters, in some cases feeding a thousand people a day. The pods are a way to enhance our emergency response preparedness. We want to empower our people to offer support and manaaki to whānau and the community during emergency events. This is such important mahi as it highlights the importance of emergency preparedness in our Ngāi Tahu Takiwā” – Ben Bateman, CEO Te Rūnanga o Ngāi Tahu

Ngai Tahu’s commitment to the wellbeing of their people and land aligns perfectly with our mission at EPOD. Together, we are championing a new way forward using innovative solutions to safeguard our communities and create a more resilient future.

Stay tuned for more updates as we work together to build a safer, stronger Te Waipounamu.