The Marae Emergency Preparedness and Resilience project has profoundly strengthened disaster readiness and resilience across the communities in the Tairāwhiti region by working closely with iwi/maori, emergency agencies and stakeholders the project initiative created culturally sensitive, community-driven disaster plans and resources tailored to regional needs. The approached has also promoted the direct enablement of communities to lead their own emergency responses integrated into a regional framework. Key successes include the installation of innovation that included hybrid solar-power systems, emergency desalination water filtration units and mass casualty trauma kits dramatically improving preparedness for remote areas as well as the urban population. These cross-agency partnerships ensured efficient resource distribution to high-risk locations, to embed capability with communities which innovative solutions developed all of which has significantly enhanced regional disaster resilience. This groundbreaking project, blending mātauranga Māori (indigenous knowledge) with scientific
expertise has set a new standard for disaster preparedness and has been nationally recognised and awarded. Project outcomes and success has inspired similar initiatives across Aotearoa, highlighting the power of community-focused solutions. The key lessons—targeted resource allocation,
ongoing capacity building, and a holistic approach—continue to elevate resilience, promote cost-effective gains from collaboration, and secure long-term disaster
preparedness for our most vulnerable communities. This model offers a blueprint for future readiness efforts nationwide.