Community Research

Extreme weather events have become more frequent with climate change. The East Coast has been particularly hard hit in recent years. In early 2023 the Gisborne District Council commissioned Te…

Migrants can be disproportionately impacted by disasters due to their increased vulnerability. Knowledge of Chinese migrants’ perceptions and experiences in the face of hazards and disasters is limited. This qualitative…

Background International migration is a worldwide phenomenon, with an increased presence of international students (i.e., short-term migrants) residing in host countries for limited periods of time. Migrants may be exposed…

In New Zealand, the social contribution of volunteers exceeds 270 million hours per year. Volunteer participation is a vital component of emergency services activities, particularly in rural settings. Fire and…

Holding hope together celebrating the contribution of the non profit sector in rebuilding Christchurch communities post quakes. Pacific Trust Canterbury Christchurch Migrant Centre New Brighton Community Gardens Friends of Linwood…

Young people from refugee backgrounds represent an important resource for disaster risk reduction within their respective communities. This paper presents a qualitative study with young people from refugee backgrounds and…

This report highlights the policy implications of research into the earthquake experiences of 150 Christchurch women interviewed for the Women’s Voices – Ngā Reo O Ngā Wahine Project. It focuses…

The action research process that informed the report was initially made possible through CatholicCare Bushfire Community Recovery Service, with the support and involvement of service Manager, Janet Cribbes. The study…

Drawing on Canterbury and Victoria experience, his report discusses and gives examples of the role of the non-profit sector in disaster risk reduction, readiness, response and recovery. While many see…

This paper presents insights into the impacts on Māori of the Christchurch earthquakes and draws on personal research experiences to discuss disaster research with impacted minority communities. Three topics are…

A paper written and presented by Megan Woods MP for the inaugural Christchurch Womens Researchers Breakfast, Otauatahi-Christchurch, Thursday 21st November 2014

This case study of Jalin Merapi in the 2010 Merapi volcanic eruption captures how local communities can empower themselves through participation in providing, sharing and verifying information within their social…

This paper presents insights into the impact on Maori of the Christchurch earthquakes, including the role of Indigenous Knowledge (Matauranga Maori) in disasters, and the role of Indigenous culture in…

The research looks at how Third Sector Organisations (TSOs) have been involved in and impacted by mid- to long-term recovery efforts, following the Christchurch earthquakes. Relocation information of TSOs’ offices…

Post-quake Christchurch has seen a flourishing of alternative economic activities that work to directly support the wellbeing of residents, often through the volunteer and community sector. This project seeks to…

New Zealand has an opportunity to become a global example of the benefits of organizational gender balance by showcasing the Christchurch rebuild as a project that promotes gender diversity. Equal…

Following the February 2011 Christchurch Earthquake, Third Sector Organizations (TSOs) are increasingly relied on to maintain community connectivity, and well-being. As demolition and red zoning alter livelihood options, TSOs are…

The pedagogical implications of encouraging social work students to consider the inter-sections of social justice with communities affected by disasters are considerable. This focus is key as disasters can impact…

This is the final report of a research study undertaken by the National Council of Women (Christchurch Branch) between 2011 and 2014 with women living in Christchurch through the earthquakes.…

The Christchurch earthquakes can be viewed from many disciplines: geology, geography, history, disaster management, psychology, sociology etc. For the past two years, the National Council of Women in Christchurch has…

During 2010 and 2011, a series of major earthquakes caused widespread damage in the city of Christchurch, New Zealand. The magnitude 6.3 quake in February 2011 caused 185 fatalities. In…

The Canterbury Earthquake Recovery Authority (CERA) is the agency leading and coordinating the recovery of greater Christchurch following the September 2010 and February 2011 earthquakes. The area over which CERA…

When the devastating 6.3 magnitude earthquake hit Christchurch, Aotearoa New Zealand, at 12.51pm on 22nd February 2011, the psychological and physical landscape was irrevocably changed. In the days and weeks…

This report summarises the Masters thesis of the same title (also found in this directory). I briefly discuss methodology and background to the case study of Project Lyttelton before explaining…

This report studied six communities affected by the 2010 and 2011 Canterbury earthquakes. Our project found that connected communities with good community infrastructure (e.g. local networks, marae, organisations, and leaders)…

This paper was presented at the CHRISTCHURCH EARTHQUAKES: SEMINAR SERIES 2012. Earthquake research in the field of mental health – Outcomes & Impacts by Prof Simon Kingham, Department of Geography…

Address to “Our Future Community and Voluntary Sector Forum”, Hosted by Council of Social Services Christchurch and Te Runaka ki Otautahi Kai Tahu, Christchurch, 28 July 2011. Drawing on lessons…

After the Sept 2010 earthquake, a series of meetings were held with community organisations in Christchurch to enable them to learn from each other about supporting their communities and to…

This article was written to support a presentation to the World Conference in Disaster Management 2009 (Toronto, Canada). In it there is presented a method to rediscover the forgotten tool…

Qualitataive research (depth interviews with 52 emergency services volunteers and other stakeholders) to identify how to lift training participation of emergency services volunteers, and the impact of training on service…

Literature review to identify barriers to training for volunteers in emergency services, and volunteers in general, and how to overcome those barriers

Masters thesis Through literature review, case studies and semi-structured interviews, a pool of knowledge was identified using a kaupapa Maori approach to draw out a set of themes and indicators.…

This evaluation follows a broad-ranging evaluation of the Voluntary Agency Support Scheme (VASS) in 1998 that focused on rationale, purpose, structure, management and ‘place’ of VASS in relation to international…