Post-earthquake landscape still shaky, seven years on


“While the original Navigation support was in response to the earthquake, the men developed a strong and enduring relationship which has resulted in improved quality of life and a sense of purpose”. Whānau Ora Navigators; initial research, August 2017.

Te Pūtahitanga o Te Waipounamu, the Whānau Ora Commissioning Agency for the South Island, acknowledges the enormity of the impacts still felt by those who endured the massive 6.2 aftershocks on 22 February 2011.

“We remember today, the tragic loss of 185 lives, the damage that occurred to over 100,000 houses. We also remember the significant and prolonged disruption to power, water and sewerage for Christchurch’s suburbs particularly those in the east, that has shaped our landscape over the last seven years”, says Pouārahi, Helen Leahy.

“Seven years on, the issues for whānau in the worst earthquake-affected areas of Christchurch are not confined to one sector, policy area, geographic location or demographic. Much of our focus in Ōtautahi is to generate innovative solutions for whānau transformation in a post-disaster context.

“In spite of the challenges of the recovery and now the regeneration of greater Christchurch, no whānau should be made ever to feel their situation is being ignored or that issues or challenges they face have been forgotten”, says Ms Leahy.

“What we know, through our work with Navigators is that whānau Māori are disproportionately and more likely to report on the lower scales regarding their wellbeing. Our approach has been to coordinate collaborative working relationships with stakeholders; supporting whānau to access earthquake insurance and resolve earthquake-related issues”.

“What all our research and work with whānau is telling us is that while some of the physical reminders of recovery are not as pronounced, the importance of whānau working together to achieve resilience and improve wellbeing remains a universal priority. Initiatives in Ōtautahi also contributed to the wellbeing of whānau in crisis. For some whānau, the lead-in and after-effects of Cyclone Gita have brought deep-felt anxieties to the surface. The important message to know is that there is always someone to turn to when times are tough until people can stand on their own”.


About us:
Te Pūtahitanga o Te Waipounamu, is an agency that works on behalf of nine iwi in the South Island to support and enable whānau to create sustained social impact. We do this by developing and investing in ideas and initiatives to improve outcomes for Maori, underpinned by whānau-centred principles and strategies, these include emergency preparedness and disaster recovery.

Te Pūtahitanga o Te Waipounamu invest in Navigator roles to support and build whānau capability. Whānau Ora Navigators work with whānau who are in crisis to identify their strengths, facilitate and mentor them to provide wrap-around support and skill building. Navigators enable whānau to progress toward their own aspirations.
Navigators can:
• help support whānau through a crisis and link them to the appropriate services
• collaborate, broker services and advocate ensuring the needs of whānau are addressed in a holistic way.
• help develop a step-by step plan to support whānau to achieve their goals and aspirations.
• identify and strengthen whānau support networks.
• reduce any risk of harm to whānau.
• Uplift whānau and create opportunities for cultural connectedness.

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