Te Kaahui Ohotata – Te Tauihu Iwi Emergency Management

Building Resilient Whānau, Marae and Communities

  • Te Kahui Ohotata is the iwi-mandated Māori emergency management workstream within Te Kotahi o Te Tauihu. Our role is to strengthen the resilience of whānau, marae and communities across Te Tauihu before, during and after emergencies.

    Te Kotahi receives and administers emergency management funding, provides governance and reporting assurance, while Te Kahui Ohotata coordinates and delivers emergency preparedness, response and recovery initiatives alongside iwi, marae, local authorities, Civil Defence Emergency Management Groups, and other statutory agencies.

    Emergency management is not just about responding to disasters. It is about ensuring our people, places and systems are prepared, connected and resilient when emergencies occur.

    Our Focus

    Te Kahui Ohotata works across four key areas:

    • Readiness – supporting whānau, marae and communities to prepare for emergencies.

    • Response – coordinating iwi-led support and welfare assistance during emergency events.

    • Recovery – assisting communities to recover and rebuild following an emergency.

    • Resilience – strengthening long-term capability, planning and preparedness across Te Tauihu.

  • Marae Preparedness Across Te Tauihu

    Marae play a critical role during emergencies as places of refuge, connection, communication and support for whānau and communities.

    Te Kahui Ohotata has worked alongside marae throughout Te Tauihu to strengthen emergency preparedness through:

    • Marae emergency management planning

    • Hazard and risk assessments

    • Identification of local response capabilities and resources

    • Development of marae response and recovery procedures

    • Emergency equipment and communications planning

    • Building relationships with Civil Defence and emergency response agencies

    This work aligns with the national Marae Emergency Preparedness Framework, which recognises the important role marae play in supporting communities during emergencies. Marae preparedness planning helps identify local hazards, available resources, key contacts and skilled personnel who can assist during an emergency.

  • Be Prepared

    Every whānau has a role to play in emergency preparedness.

    We encourage all whānau to:

    • Make an emergency plan

    • Know the hazards in your area

    • Prepare emergency supplies for at least three days

    • Understand evacuation routes and meeting places

    • Stay informed through official emergency channels

    The National Emergency Management Agency's Get Ready website provides practical information and resources to help whānau prepare for emergencies including earthquakes, floods, storms, tsunami, wildfires and other natural hazards.

  • Emergency Preparedness Resources

    For information and tools to help your whānau or marae prepare for emergencies, visit:

    Working Together

    Experience across Aotearoa has consistently shown that iwi, hapū and marae play a vital role in supporting communities through emergency readiness, response and recovery. Te Kahui Ohotata is committed to ensuring Māori-led emergency management capability continues to grow across Te Tauihu, enabling our communities to be prepared, connected and resilient when it matters most.

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