Policy instruments for Indigenous Peoples and Disaster Risk Reduction A Case Study of Māori participation in Disaster and Emergency Management, Aotearoa New Zealand

Abstract

Indigenous Peoples possess ancient wisdom and valuable knowledge on environmental hazards and disasters. Much of this knowledge is relevant to non-Indigenous Peoples. As current concerns on disaster risk reduction emphasise a multi-level, multi-national approach, Indigenous knowledge can help international, regional, national and local organisations to address complex hazards including climate change and sea-level rise. However, despite the important insights and unique risk profiles of Indigenous communities, they are often marginalised in the relevant policy-making processes. This report provides an overview of the international policy in this area and examines the experiences of Māori (the Indigenous People of Aotearoa New Zealand) in the legislative and policy areas relevant to hazards and disasters. Research on how Māori responded and continue to recover from the Canterbury earthquakes of 2010-11 provides a useful window on how a diverse urban Indigenous communities are impacted by, and seek influence in, disaster and emergency management and disaster risk reduction.