Source: New Zealand Ministry of Health
In 2023 a series of extreme weather events occurred, including Cyclone Gabrielle on 13 February. The Ministry of Health (the Ministry) commissioned research Te Weu me Te Wai – Research into health and wellbeing impacts of adverse weather conditions to understand how health and the health system was impacted by these events. The research was completed in July 2024 and was undertaken as a partnership between two community organisations, Te Weu Tairāwhiti and Sustainable Hawke’s Bay, with the University of Auckland. The research examines the impacts from the extreme weather on the health and wellbeing of affected communities and how the health system responded.
The researchers have provided extensive recommendations for the health system, health providers, the emergency response sector and to prepare for further impacts from climate change. These recommendations have been informed by detailed analysis of the experiences of 143 whānau Māori, Pacific Peoples, disabled people, youth and the elderly who resided in Te Tairāwhiti and the Hawke’s Bay. These participants were first responders, heath workers, council staff, and members of the public. Key findings included:
- bolstering localised community capacity, capability, and connections will enable communities to support themselves and control emergency responses, increasing the likelihood of improved health and wellbeing outcomes after an extreme weather event
- strengthening the connection and presence of health services within local communities is likely to improve health and wellbeing outcomes
- government disaster procurement policy needs to include health and wellbeing as an outcome where the impact of damage to infrastructure such as telecommunications, power, water, transport, internet and human resources has on healthcare services and outcomes is incorporated.
