The Ministry of Health-Manatū Hauora has announced $1 million funding for research into the health and wellbeing impacts of Cyclone Gabrielle.
The funding, a result of a request for proposal commissioned earlier this year, was awarded to researchers from Te Weu Tairāwhiti Charitable Trust and Waipapa Taumata Rau – the University of Auckland.
Office of the Chief Science Advisor’s principal advisor Dr Mary Silcock said events such as Cyclone Gabrielle could have a big impact on health, mental wellbeing and community recovery for years, so it was important to understand how to prepare for future events.
“The health system is a crucial part of community cohesion and wellbeing and therefore needs to be ready to support emergency responses to natural disasters in ways that support whānau and communities in the recovery and re-building of communities,” Silcock said.
Manatū Hauora-Ministry of Health announced the $1 million fund, for research targeting the health and wellbeing impacts of Cyclone Gabrielle on communities in Hawke’s Bay and Tairāwhiti, in April.
“We invited proposals from New Zealand universities to carry out the research in partnership with local community leaders and networks, with an expectation of Māori co-leadership.”
In July the contract was awarded to researchers from Waipapa Taumata Rau – the University of Auckland and Te Weu Tairāwhiti, a collective of local researchers focused on the future risks and opportunities for Tairāwhiti.
“Bringing together research expertise and established community networks within the Hawke’s Bay and Tairāwhiti regions will enable us to better understand what healthcare and services these communities needed most after an extreme weather event,” she said.
“We expect to receive the final research report at the end of January 2024. The short time frame for the project will provide evidence for local, regional and national decision-makers to incorporate in their planning in the upcoming year and shows the scale of our commitment to progressing this important mahi.”
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