The Maori Response to a Seismic ‘Swan’

Abstract

This chapter looks at this Maori Black Swan Event (BSE) and examines its nature against current definitions and specifically against the New Orleans’s Lower 9th Ward response. It then considers how Maori managed with a study of the Maori community at Rapaki just outside Christchurch following the 2011 earthquake. The existence and the current management of this BSE in New Zealand and how Maori manage should be recognised in disaster plans. That is not happening. Moreover, the sense by both authors is that this work will resonant with other ethnic responses in New Zealand such as Pacific Islanders, SE Asians and Chinese.

Appendices

Appendices

1.1 Appendix A: Christchurch Earthquake 2011 Maori Recovery Network MRN Timeline

The MRN was based at Rehua Marae in Springfield Road just outside the Red Zoned CBD area of Christchurch.

Terms

Iwi = Regional tribal representation	TRONT = Governing body for Ngai Tahu.
TPK = Te Puni Kokiri Govt Dept. for Maori Affairs	Ngai Tahu = The Maori Iwi or confederation of local tribes
KSG = Kaitahu (Strategic) Steering Group	MP = Member of the NZ Parliament.
Kaumatua = Maori elder	Hui = meeting
Whanau = (extended) Maori family	Marae = Maori meeting house or community centre
CDHB = Canterbury District Health Board	MSD = Govt Ministry of Social Development
Te Arawa & Tainui are two other Maori tribes/Iwi from outside Christchurch	Rapaki and Tuahiwi are important Maori settlements just outside Christchurch.
Kohanga Reo = Maori preschool or “Language Nest”	Rehua Marae = Marae located in Christchurch central
WINZ = Govt Dept for Work and Income/Benefits.	Hapu =tribal sub group
MCDEM = Govt Ministry of Civil Defence and Emergency Management	Nga Hau e Wha Marae National Marae in the Eastern suburbs unfortunately damaged by the earthquake
WHAKAMOEMITI = pray meeting	MOE = Govt Ministry of Education
WAG = Welfare Advisory Group	CCC = Christchurch City Council
Kai = food	Mihi whakatau = formal greeting and introduction

Day 1: Tues 22nd Feb 2011: 12.51pm 6.3 magnitude earthquake. Christchurch. TPK Regional Manager David Ormsby visits Rehua Marae and Kaumatua to assess whanau safety, buildings, property and utilities.

Day 2: Thurs 24th Feb 2011: AFTERNOON, Ngai Tahu whanau & staff of TRONT call Emergency Hui at Rehua Maraefor Fri 25th Feb. TPK staff arrive from around the country & stationed at Rehua, Rapaki & Tuahiwi Maraes undertaking rapid assessments across Christchurch suburbs

Day 3: Fri 25th Feb 2011: 10AM – 20+ Iwi, Taurahere and TPK officials present: Aim-to provide a short to medium term plan to identify the appropriate service providers and facilitate communication lines.

HEREWINI TE KOHA (TPK Wellington) update from Civil Defence and asked everyone to ask the question “What can we start doing now to mobilise a response for Otautahi?” TPK and other services to get the general understanding of all areas ranging from where to send kai to assisting whanau leave the region.

The KSG is set up as a wider government response group to run parallel to the WAG. TPK to be the link to feed back to the hub. Pipeline of requests and referrals with TPK prioritising Marae needs. The importance of mobilising and getting out to streets to make contact with households via the wardens noted, provide support & information for whanau to register needs

MARK SOLOMON – TE RUNANGA O NGAI TAHU (Ngai Tahu Chairperson/Leader) Discussed how the MRN would work regarding delivery/distribution and storage of food.Tainui and Te Arawa offering doctors and support.Many non-Maori groups offering help and needs to be well coordinated.

ROGER PIKIA - TE ARAWA CEO/spokesperson for Te Arawa & Tainui:confirmed Te Arawa & Tainui Iwi medical teams, kapahaka groups for manpower and admin staff flying out of Rotorua. KSG to resolve food and accommodation.

RAHUI KATENE (MP FOR SOUTHERN MAORI ELECTORATE). Acting for the Minister of Maori Affairs and advised she would set up access to Govt ministers based on needs assessment from the MRN.

Red Cross emergency grants processed by TPK staff. Maori Coordinator for 0800 777 846 Emergency Helpline. Ngai Tahu begins establishing office admin needs.

Day 4: Sat 26th Feb 2011: MRN/HQ to be led by Ngai Tahu & Ngai Tuahuriri with the aim of gets assistance to those in need in the community. Communication channels between TPK, MCDEM, WAG & local Iwi/Hapu. Govt response and Maori action framework tabled. TPK channelling CDEM information into the MRN and deployment of assistance. Informal monitoring of what, where and who? Whanau engagement seen as critical. Te Runanga o Nga Maatawaka for 0800 emergency helpline

TPK & Civil Defence coordinate emergency relief to worst affected Marae, suburbs and whanau. TPK process Red Cross emergency grants, missing persons register & liaison with welfare centres. He Oranga Pounamu coordinate information and support from the Maori NGO’s and officials from MSD, CDHB. Kohanga Reo Whanau Networks & Maori Health workers on standby. Maori Wardens on standby (national and local) they are also working with Police but will attend KSG briefings. Te Arawa Rotorua: on standby with mobile team of nurses, drivers and support crew.

Te Wananga o Aotearoa / Open Wananga, Ora Hauora staff/whanau on standby. Red Badge Security 24 hr support stationed to coordinate entrance and exit from Rehua marae.All visitors checked in and checked out. Over 250 visitors, volunteers and officials visiting each day.

Day 5: Sun 27th Feb 2011: 11.00HRS WHAKAMOEMITI or CHURCH SERVICE

53 Maori wardens on standby and deployed from New Brighton Police Station. Wardens comment on how a lot of people are not at home, appear to have left/abandoned properties. Concern about hygiene, health hazards due to sewerage, liquefaction, dust. Delivered non-perishable foods, fruit, vegetables, nappies, 400 1 litre cartons of milk, 400 small cartons of flavoured milk,110 packets of assorted meat parcels.

Day 6” Mon 28th Feb 2011: HQ fully operational with daily briefings of the KSG 08.30hrs - 09.30hrs. Civil Defence & Police Update (from New Brighton), Maori Wardens Update. Lack of toilets is a problem. Port-a-loos urgently need to be cleaned. Need for medical/nurses staff. Need for water containers. Concerned that no one is visiting and checking on people’s well-being in their homes. Reports that security staff at some Welfare centres are “unfriendly” to Maori Wardens. Meetings organized with Welfare centre managers. Marae Updates – all activated; Call Centre Update – pamphlets being organized; Emergency Relief – water, food, toilets needed; Logistics and Supply – not enough assistance; Te Arawa Nurses / team deployed to Aranui, Wainoni & New Brighton: Public Briefings at 10.00am & 7pm: Welfare centres report Pioneer 700pax, .Burnside 800 pax, Rangiora 360 pax, Windsor?, Rolleston on Standby, Cowles Stadium operating as a info centre/referral centre only. KAITAHU as a helpline & call centre facility 6000 leaflet drop of Earthquake Emergency Helplines, Marae phone numbers and addresses to be delivered by wardens and volunteers. MOE – no schools open till 7th March, 27 seriously damaged, 50 moderate damage, remainder minor damage. WINZ mobile services deployed to East side, 14,500 emergency payments made, 20,000 super annuitants called – 19495 checked, 8 referred to emergency and 90 site visits conducted. Operation Suburb 14 day target to visit 50,000 homes “red” (people must leave), “yellow” (restricted access, can take personal belongings), “green” (safe).600-1000 Wed, 7000 – 40,000 over the next 2 weeks. Pacific Recovery Network visiting HQ daily and stationed out in the suburbs and Hampshire St Hub. Liaison with Public Health officials re hygiene, water quality checks and establishing hygiene protocols, boiling water and food preparation. Meals at HQ for 120 – 200 volunteers. Hygiene Stations: with water, face masks, hand sanitizing solutions set up. Reports of issues of at least 20-25 families located in Council flats in Shirley, elderly and disabled people have been registered with Red Cross but need medical attention, swollen ankles, diabetes....

Day 7: Tues 1st March 2011: Updates from Police, Fire, CDEM & Kohanga Reo, Rotorua Maori nurses run out of their own medical supplies and produce an itemised list of emergency supplies to be topped up

Day 8: Wed 2nd March 2011: Updates from Marae, Police, Fire, CDEM, Kohanga Reo, Maori Nurses Visits & needs assessments with Whanau of Maori mental health & disability services underway. Te Arawa Nurses request for basic medical supplies denied by CDHB.Working on a strategy to remove barriers for this request.Ngai Tahu asks for meeting with CDHB officials to work through this issue.

Day 9: Thurs 3rd March 2011: Operation Suburb and first field reports completed with main concerns being: Isolation and lack of services; Sanitation and sewerage discharge flowing into streets; Lack of access to water; Complaints about no portal-loos in Avonside; Noted there is about 50% occupancy in Avonside. MARAE Status: Nga Hau e Wha Marae still not cleared for use; Tuahiwi 200 meals prepared per day and taken to whanau in need; Rapaki – GP on standby, no internet access, 8 houses “red”, Counsellor on site, in process of drafting evacuation plan; Kaikoura – preparing for 50 new arrivals, food is sufficient; Otautahi Runaka met with Diplomatic Corps to discuss rubble from the sites of the tragedies being given to families & Blessing of the Burwood landfill for more rubble to be temporarily stored. NZ Police: Mihi whakatau for Japanese Diplomats and families (Blessing ceremony) at Burnham Military camp, Cultural guidance and support for Coronial Unit established. Blessing for site. Blessing of the CTV site for all rescue workers and the rubble that is to be taken to designated landfill sites: Blessing of the memorial stones that will be given to families of victims – ceremony conducted at Burnside High School. Evening meal at Rehua for Israeli DVI contingent

Day 10: Fri 4th March 2011: MP Rahui Katene: Tuahiwi Marae cooking 200 meals a day, Kaumatua are refusing to accept money for this, food is being sent into city by whanau members using their own transport: Tuahiwi advises they expect to be on stand-by for 6 weeks: Rahui requests funds from TPK to provide Tuahiwi with funds so Marae can continue providing food and TPK actions request and deploys personnel to Rapaki and Tuahiwi. Otautahi Runaka prepares paper to define difference between regular rubble and kokakoka tapu (sacred rubble).Nobody has access to any of this rubble except through Ngai Tahu, Police & NZ Fire service.

Day 11: Sat 5th March 2011: 400 houses visited in Eastern suburbs: 480 calls to 0800 kaitahu line, 21 calls from 0800 quake;124 referrals made to Maori health and social services, The flying squad, builders, labourers, transport providers: Key issues – homelessness, many whanau do not have water containers, relocation assistance, lack of access to water, whanau unable to go to welfare centres

Day 13: Mon 7th March 2011: Nga Hau e Wha Marae to be given clearance and will be an EQ Recovery Assistance Centre supported by CDEM, CCC, MSD. OPERATION SUBURB – Maori Wardens visited 160 houses in New Brighton, 42 calls to 0800kaitahu, 2 referrals to 0800 quake, 39 referrals to health and social services, builders, labourers. It is noted that after almost 2 wks of no water, power or sewerage, people do not appear to be coping well. Nga Hau e Wha Marae to be opened as an EQ Recovery Centre – hundreds are visiting. Most pressing issue – access to toilets and unattended health issues. Te Arawa Nurses continue to work in the areas. Concern regarding people with disabilities including deaf and blind not being visited in the same way Maori are being visited.Need more people on the ground to help with these visits.

Day 14: Tues 8th March 2011: 49 houses visited 27 calls to 0800 quake requests for info and financial assistance, 2 calls to 0800Quake.33 referrals made to Maori health and social service; Ceremonies/Blessing for Chinese families to visit morgue at Burnham Military camp; Farewell arranged for Israeli DVI team and contingent from Japan supporting families of victims killed in earthquakes: Nga Hau e Wha Marae is cleared by engineers and supported by CDEM as an EQ Recovery Assistance Centre (RAC). Maori trauma/therapeutic team, Positive Directions Trust, ORA Network, Ngai Tahu staff, EQ Recovery Coordinators, Community Law Centre, CCC Maori Liaison, IRD liaison,

Day 15-22: Wed 9th -Wed 16th March 2011: EOC Updates; Maori Community Hui 16/3/2011 “Where to next” after the national emergency is over?

Consultation Paper to be developed from 16/3/11 hui and feedback from Maori community to 21/3/2011 hui

Day 23-27: Thurs 17th- Mon 21st March 2011: 21/3/11 Consultation Paper on Maori Recovery Plan tabled by S McMeeking for feedback.

21/3/11 Ngai Tuahuriri (Manawhenua representatives) feedback to Hui is that the Maori Recovery plan is not needed and planning and decisions will be through TRONT Te Awheawhe Ruwhenua Working Group.

21/3/11 Report on the activities of the KSG is tabled by Jane Huria. Except for Nga Hau e Wha all Marae have stopped EQ emergency and relief. Nga Hau e Wha Marae will remain open. Govt and community social service agencies are on standby. Over 100 Earthquake recovery coordinators are still operating to assist with relocations, financial hardship, insurance and repairs. Community Showers still available at Cowles Stadium, Avonside, Kaiapoi.

The way forward is identified clearly by Ngai Tuahuriri representatives at the Hui:

• Iwi and Manawhenua as statutory partners to CERA;

• Ngai Tahu will comment on CERA’s Recovery Plan and Council’s Plans CBD Rebuild

• He Oranga Pounamu will liaise with CERA on Maori health and social wellbeing

• Mahaanui Kurataio Ltd will liaise with Councils on city planning

Maori Response Network Shut Down

1.2 Appendix B: Kaikoura Earthquake 2016 Maori Recovery Network MRN Timeline

The Kaikoura Time Line as reported in situational reports (the accuracy of these are difficult to confirm), field/diary notes, meetings/hui, reports and data gathered at Takahanga Marae in Kaikoura from 19th to 23rd November 2016. This timeline is from the perspective of Maori and the Takahanga Marae in Kaikoura.

Earthquake Occurs: 12.02am on the 14 November 2016 a 7.8 earthquake strikes NZ near the coastal town of Kaikoura. Access to Kaikoura is cut off by landslides. All roads and rail connections are out indefinitely with bridges down. The only access is via helicopter. There is confusion within Civil Defence Emergency management CDEM (http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/nz-earthquake/86654229/Timeline-of-the-7-8-quake-and-response-reveals-plenty-of-room-for-improvement.)

The boat harbour had been rendered almost useless due to the seismic upheaval of the coast line and there are many stranded tourists. The 111 phone line fails and by 12.57am there is confusion amongst CDEM as to whether a tsunami warning should be given as a 2 metre tsunami had already hit the town.

14 November 2017 Monday Day 1

“Slow shaking and then the power went off and I got thrown across the room. I lost my glasses and was completely in the dark.” One survivor’s experience of the earthquake.

Two deaths have been linked to the quake, and more than 20 people were injured. Transport was disrupted including state highway 1 between Blenheim and Picton, State Highway 6 between Blenheim and Nelson and State Highway 7 between Springs Junction and the Waipara are all closed. Several bridges on the state highway network were reported as damaged and closed. Hanmer Springs is cut off. Rail networks in the lower North Island, and between Christchurch and Picton, are closed. All InterIslander ferries had been cancelled. (http://www.civildefence.govt.nz/resources/Kaikoura-earthquake/#tpk).

Kaikoura was effectively and the only access was by helicopter.

By midday, about 40 tourists had been airlifted. The NZ Defence Force (NZDF) expects to make 16 flights in total today, each one taking about 12 people with priority for those with medical conditions, pregnant women, families with children and the elderly. The Chinese Embassy charters a helicopter and starts to evacuate Chinese nationals; this causes confusion amongst non-Chinese about how they should be evacuated. This is confused further by responsibilities for camper vans and cars as hire companies insist that it remains the responsibility of those that hire the vans to get them back.

Ngai Tahu (Iwi) Fishing empty any supplies they have in Kaikoura for the response and Iwi Representatives arrive with satellite phones. They have been able to divert their own helicopters to assist and set up the Marae response at Takahanga Marae. They start to bring food in bound and take children and grandmothers/aunties out bound to Cheviot and then onto Christchurch by road.

Nonetheless, there are estimated to be about 600 to 700 tourists wanting to leave Kaikoura. The Marae opens doors for those affected by the earthquake despite not having power, water, toilets or food. The big issue is no water. (https://diplopundit.net/2016/11/page/3/).

On Monday night, between 70 and 100 people remained at Takahanga Marae with nowhere to go. That was a significant drop on the 700 people who had stayed at the marae following the earthquake in the early hours of Monday morning. (https://diplopundit.net/2016/11/page/3/).

This is reported on National Television and local Maori stay away from the Marae and thus the Maori Response to the 225 families on the Marae database is immediately hampered.

15 November 2017 Tuesday Day 2

Radio New Zealand RNZ reporter Tim Graham in Kaikoura said basic supplies in the town appeared to be running low. A queue of about 200 was outside the local New World supermarket and bread was being rationed to about two loaves per customer. The local petrol station was backed up with vehicles.

The Red Cross was also sending helicopters to take tourists to a welfare centre north of Christchurch and St John paramedics were to be flown in to relieve crews and deliver supplies. Two navy ships are sailing to Kaikoura overnight from Auckland, picking up supplies on the way, and are expected to arrive by tomorrow.

The Takahanga Marae deputy chairperson, Major Timms, says the town’s concrete water tank has split in two. The Marae yesterday fed about 700 people in the aftermath of the quake and is expecting large numbers again today.

Mass evacuations are due to begin this morning. The estimates are that 1,200 tourists are believed to be stranded in Kaikoura: 50 helicopters will also help evacuate them.

The first wave of responders from Christchurch arrive including a Controller, Emergency Operation Centre (EOC) staff including an operations manager, engineering support, planning and intelligence, welfare manager and staff, building and structural engineers. (http://ipwea2017.co.nz/wp-content/uploads/2016/06/Innovation-n-Resilience-abstracts-as-at16-Dec.pdf).

CDEM acting national controller Shane Bayley said anyone who wanted to get out would be able to do so on helicopter flights throughout Tuesday, weather permitting. (http://www.cowraguardian.com.au/story/4293029/quake-leaves-communities-stranded/?cs=12).

Those staying in Kaikoura are battered by thunder storms and aftershocks.

Power and communications were still “intermittent” and there was a big effort going on to get the inland roads into Kaikoura up and running but it will take a couple of days.

Interestingly, the US Embassy’s updated message directs anyone with friends or family in Kaikoura to make their way to the Takahanga Marae Welfare Centre to register with the Red Cross to be on the evacuation list. It is not clear to the Marae how or where this has come from and moreover, the Red Cross was never established at the Marae.

16 November 2017 Wednesday Day 3

6,500 meals supplied by the Marae at this point.

The amphibious sealift vessel HMNZS Canterbury evacuated around 450 people out of Kaikoura to Christchurch. The Royal New Zealand Air Force’s 3 Squadron evacuated another 60 people and delivered two tonnes of aid to Kaikoura, bringing to about 660 the total number of people evacuated from the quake-damaged town. Surveillance aircraft from the United States Navy and the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force also conducted surveys of quake-damaged areas, focusing particular attention on inland and railway routes.

Canterbury fishing crews are frantically relocating exposed paua (or abalone) back underwater. Parts of the coast seabed have been raised by 2- 5 metres. This would later become a major issue for the Marae. Paua Industry Council chairman Storm Stanley said the patches of raised seabed stretched from the Kaikoura coast through to Cape Campbell in Marlborough. Thus, affecting many of the region’s most important paua grounds and reefs, he estimated tens, if not hundreds, of tonnes of the edible sea snails had been left high and dry. With paua able to survive for only few days out of water, he said Kaikoura and Marlborough crews were racing to save the animals. (http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=11749080).

Between 700 and 1,000 people still require evacuation. HMNZS Wellington starts to survey the Kaikoura harbour to find a suitable area for the HMNZS Canterbury to begin evacuating people. HMNZS Te Kaha and USS Sampson are also en-route to provide support.

50% of Kaikoura has access to the town’s water supply. Door to door welfare checks are continuing. People are being asked not to donate goods to the affected regions at this stage. (http://www.civildefence.govt.nz/resources/Kaikoura-earthquake/#tpk).

It is noted that it would be useful if the National News did not keep saying how resilient it was in Kaikoura as people that perhaps should be seeking assistance were holding back and being resilient when perhaps they really are the ones seeking assistance. One example of a 3 bedroom house with 32 extended family members staying in it…plus their 4 dogs outside. They felt OK but it was evident that they should receive assistance. Other examples of those not coming forward was for food parcels…these were more common later as the response continued. In addition, it was noted that news about the situation in Kaikoura was faster from overseas sources than locally…. And moreover that the National news reports did not seemingly tie up with the reality on the ground.

17 November 2017 Thursday Day 4

“At 1.00am the HMNZS Canterbury docks at Lyttleton Harbour back in Christchurch successfully evacuating 449 people out of the quake affected community of Kaikoura. Many were tourists taken to the safety and comfort of welfare centres in Christchurch” reported CDEM.

“Yesterday also marked the first successful vehicle passage through the Inland Road (Route 70). The NZDF will be conducting further assessments of the road today. The road is still high risk and is not yet open to private vehicles. We are doing everything possible to get the road open, but we’re asking people not to attempt to use the route for access in or out of Kaikoura until we’ve finished the urgent work needed to open it safely”. (http://www.civildefence.govt.nz/resources/Kaikoura-earthquake/#tpk).

This would be short lived.

“We have completed the successful evacuation of everyone who wanted to leave Kaikoura yesterday on the HMNZS Canterbury. Only tourists who did not express their wish to be evacuated are remaining in Kaikoura”.

“More than 800 people have been evacuated from Kaikoura by NZDF and they are being supported by Canterbury CDEM Group”.

Many evacuees are foreign visitors and embassies from their countries were there to greet and comfort them. Embassies include Australia, Korea, UK, Germany, France, USA and Japan. Wrap around support is being provided to make them feel safe, provide translation services, and assist them with either returning home, or continuing with their planned travel.

Some of the ships from the International Naval Review have arrived in Kaikoura, ready to support the delivery of relief supplies.

HMNZS CANTERBURY is being loaded with relief supplies at Lyttelton and will soon sail to Kaikoura.

The Prime Minister announced earlier today a $7.5 million wage subsidy package for affected businesses. A hotline is set up which many cannot access due to re-charging phone issues. This is welcomed on the Marae. (http://www.maoritelevision.com/news/regional/Kaikoura-businesses-grateful-government-national-response).

18 November 2017 Friday Day 5

“Responders are working hard to assess damage, restore lifelines, utilities, complete the infrastructure repairs needed and restore access. We will be focusing on those rural isolated and vulnerable households and continue to work with communities through the transition from response to recovery” say CDEM.

“Despite reports, the Inland Road is NOT open to the public and will not be open to the public by Saturday. There is concern that cracks may open and slips may occur due to the current deteriorating weather. Teams working to open the Inland road were pulled out on Thursday due to unsafe conditions….It is not known how long it will take for this route to be clear and safe. Members of the public must not attempt to access the road.” Reports CDEM. (http://www.civildefence.govt.nz/resources/Kaikoura-earthquake/#tpk).

The Marae/Maori continue to have issues engaging with Govt departments in Kaikoura. The Ministry for Social Development MSD express concerns about their safety and are apparently swapped over for a Christchurch based team. Stories are emerging of one lady that walked from one isolated bay with a 3, 5, 7 and 13 year old girls. It is clear that there are un-identified needs in the rural areas and while some communities are coping well others are not.

19 November 2017 Saturday Day 6

Government officials and volunteers hoping to rescue paua clashed near Kaikoura. Volunteers were told by officials from the Ministry of Primary Industries MPI that they were breaking the law and could be arrested. About 300 volunteers were preparing to move the stranded paua to the sea when MPI officials arrived and told them to stop. Volunteer Ben Kepes said the MPI action was “bizarre”. “There was quite a bit of disquiet. Some people just wanted to go ahead and do it anyway, but the organiser said we had to comply,” he said. The MPI has denied reports that it sent a letter to volunteers today stating they can continue moving paua along Kaikoura’s coastline. MPI insisted that the paua should be left where they are above water, as “it’s a normal habitat” where they can survive. Volunteers were frustrated. MPI staff were originally helping the 300 strong team but that changed yesterday when new advice from the department said people should leave them alone. Volunteer Ben Kepes called the move an example of bureaucracy getting in the way of common sense and pragmatism. (http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=11751344).

Marae folk now attending the EOC meetings but having serious issues in getting petrol chits to visit and assess rural Maori families. The food bank is rationalised and categorised for field teams and locals seeking assistance through the Marae.

20 November 2017 Sunday Day 7

Reported food in the supermarkets and money in the Eftpos machines but this was minimal and did not cover basic items or pricing. “All the cheap stuff has gone and no meat” was the comment at the Marae.

Volunteers say they will defy a ban and continue rescuing paua along Kaikoura’s coastline at the first low tide tomorrow after being granted a permit from the Runanga (local Maori Authority). The Runanga based at Takahanga Marae strongly supported the volunteers and Mike Vincent states that the volunteers are “back in business” and that “We are going to be saving paua.” (http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=11751841).

Tonnes of paua along the coastline have died but many are still clinging to rocks protected by kelp. At a hui at the Takahanga Marae in Kaikoura the Runanga representatives said they wanted the rescue efforts to continue. Paua had an important place in the Runanga’s culture as was reflected in the marae’s meeting house carvings.

“A particular focus is reaching isolated rural communities and families to ensure that their needs are being met,” says Sarah Stuart-Black the Director of CDEM.

“Services to affected towns continue to be restored and additional services such as port-a-loos, shower units, fuel and groceries are being supplied. Another NZDF convoy delivered additional food and water to Kaikoura today which was good news.” The inland road (Kaikoura Emergency Access Route) remains closed. “We know that the closure of the road is causing frustration for some people and we are doing everything we can to move people and goods to where they need to be. It’s a case of balancing the provision of essential supplies to those who need them and ensuring that people stay as safe as possible” she said.

The Canterbury CDEM Group are working with the New Zealand Transport Agency to manage control of the road using a permit system combined with closures when necessary as the risk changes. (http://www.civildefence.govt.nz/resources/Kaikoura-earthquake/#tpk).

After a week of looking after visitors and earthquake response workers, Takahanga Marae served its last community meal, making it 10,000 meals in 6 days. This is despite NOT being a Civil Defence Post, a designated Welfare centre or having or water supply and according to the Marae. The meals came about because the Council/EOC just started sending people up from 8am on Monday. There is frustration on the Marae. In addition, local Maori have stayed away from the Marae because of the crowds that they are seeing on National Television. The role of food distribution would be presumably taken up by food parcels through the NZ Red Cross but it is not clear.

Marae social workers and locals continue to have issues getting petrol chits that hampers distribution and assessment operations (2 Maori women were allegedly assaulted). The Mayor makes his first visit to the Marae. There are apparently conflicting messages from the EOC and CDEM. EOC were saying there is no timeline for the road access due to overhanging rocks while on the other hand CDEM seem to provide confirmed dates (see Friday 18 November). Noted that check points are not manned at night and this seems to be allowing people through to poach paua; EOC don’t seem concerned. The Marae is also fielding comments that Maori have stock piled food.

21 November 2017 Monday Day 8

As of Monday 21st, there were also 47 aftershocks in the M5.0-5.9 range, and 3 aftershocks in the magnitude M6.0-6.9 range.

Brett Cowan representing the Runanga said he had visited Goose Bay to see the paua rescue effort for himself and believed they were doing a professional job and had good processes.

Drone checks made of Peketa for burials remains that may have been exposed by slips. EOC are very helpful and sympathetic which was greatly appreciated by the Marae leadership. On the other hand the Marae has a freezer full of dip to use up. Door to door knocking is well under way with the te Putahitanga Navigators that were flown up from Christchurch.

A few Kaikoura Councillors meet on the Marae with local Maori leaders. This is the first time.

22 November 2017 Tuesday Day 8

A MPI spokesman said a ministry scientist had gone back to inspect relocated paua on Tuesday. The scientist would consult with other scientists before a decision could be made about whether to sanction the rescue efforts. Science had to prevail. (http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/nz-earthquake/86759696/paua-rescuers-wait-for-officials-blessing).

Those based at the Marae and the te Putahitanga Navigator staff having issues getting petrol to be able to do surveys. Sense on the Marae is that Maori do not seem to have a place at the table. For example, Maori burial sites are being seen as archeologically sites rather than sacred cultural sites. There is confusion over who will be looking after the food distribution and exactly where that will happen. It seems that it will be at least 2 weeks before the local supermarket will open and any items are the expensive brands and people from the Marae have been living on sweets such as “jelly babies, jet planes and fruit bursts”.

The Harbour will need 40,000m3 to be excavated which will take at least a year to complete. Until then only smaller craft than usual will be able to use it. Thus, there will be staff down turns to come.

Issues with the original Declaration of Emergency between different Territorial Authorities are now being aired as people reflect back on the disaster and consequent issues with the response.

23 November 2017 Wednesday Day 10

By noon on Wednesday 23 November there had been 4,879 aftershocks detected.

EOC have developed an earthquake support factsheet with partner agencies, with information for anyone affected by the earthquake. This includes advice on:

• Stress, counselling and support

• Accommodation and housing

• support for rural communities

• Iwi, hapū and whānau Māori support

• Financial support for individuals and businesses

• Insurance and EQC claims

• Schools and Early Childhood Centres

• Children and young people

• Health and hygiene

• Animal welfare

• Tourism and international visitors

24 November 2017 Thursday Day 11

“Work is continuing on the Kaikoura Emergency Access Route (Inland Road), with Mt Lyford residents granted conditional access last night” reported by EOC.

“I understand residents are feeling frustrated that there is no public access along this road, but the people on the ground are doing everything they can to ensure the road is safe before it is open to the public. Today’s decision to provide conditional access to residents up to Mt Lyford is a positive step.” (http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/AK1611/S00757/kaikoura-earthquake-media-release-19-24-november-2016.htm).

Because aftershocks are expected to continue, access to the Kaikoura Emergency Access Route (Inland Road) and other roads can change at any time.

Last night the local CDEM Controller decided to evacuate residents from Goose Bay as a precautionary measure, after a dam created by a landslide was discovered. Geotechnical engineers advised that the size of the dam and the forecasted bad weather meant it could breach anytime. (http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/AK1611/S00757/kaikoura-earthquake-media-release-19-24-november-2016.htm).

25 November 2017 Friday Day 12

“The Kaikoura Emergency Access Route (Inland Road) is in a much better condition than it was 10 days ago and work is continuing to get the road open so businesses can start operating again.” Plans are proceeding to provide a safe and coordinated road evacuation from Kaikoura for some residents and visitors from 1p to 3pm today. This is for one-way travel from Kaikoura in a southward direction only. ( http://www.civildefence.govt.nz/resources/Kaikoura-earthquake/#tpk).

27 November 2017 Sunday Day 14

Volunteers and organised groups continue to relocate affected paua. Mike Vincent, founder of the paua rescue group, estimated they had relocated between 20 and 50 tonnes of paua. He said MPI and commercial divers who had inspected the relocated molluscs were “pretty impressed” with the results.

“They couldn’t find any dead stuff. Everything that’s been positioned was still there and looking good.” Vincent said the volunteers had not been able to save all the paua. The smell of dead sea life was mostly “a weedy smell”, because seagulls had cleaned up most of the dead paua, he said. “Nature’s doing its thing, mate.”

The volunteers would continue their work in coming weeks, as the New Zealand Transport Agency allowed access to more areas of the coast. Vincent said they had left areas with a lot of bull kelp until last, because the paua would be able to survive in the damp environment out of the sun. “We just want to get on with is so we can save as much as possible,” he said. “It’s been a massive effort and I would like to thank Te Runanga-o-Kaikoura, MPI and the Kaikoura Paua Relocation and Relief effort for their combined support for the continued relocation of our precious taonga”. (http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/nz-earthquake/86954957/kaikouras-relocated-paua-doing-well) (http://www.maoritelevision.com/news/regional/efforts-relocate-kaikoura-paua-continue).