Having a collective voice and working together to make a positive impact in the rebuild and recovery of Ōtautahi was the motivation behind the establishment of the Māori Community Leaders Forum. With 72% of the Māori population in Christchurch from iwi outside of Ngāi Tahu, the Māori Community Leaders Forum is a medium for those individual voices to be collectively represented as one. And it’s proving to have some real strength.

Linda Ngata from Te Rūnanga o Ngā Maata Waka explains that when the 4 September 2010 earthquake struck it created chaos, with people dislocated from family and home.

“Local marae were able to assist people who were dislocated because they were equipped to host and care for people communally. We were able to provide leadership in this area because we just got out and started connecting with people and identifying where the need was. We didn’t wait for a manual about how to respond, we just followed our survival instinct of putting people first”.

Two years on from the earthquake and Linda represents Te Rūnanga o Ngā Maata Waka on the Māori Community Leaders Forum to ensure Māori are across the issues in the city that affect them. “Understanding the city plan and being informed about where we can make a difference is essential to supporting those still trying to navigate issues such as rebuilding their existing homes or finding somewhere new to live”.

The Forum, says David Ormsby, Te Waipounamu Regional Director, is a group representing pan Māori interests in Christchurch. “Te Puni Kōkiri has been able to facilitate and support the establishment of the Forum to ensure Māori are central to discussions and decisions being made about the recovery of Canterbury. We have the capacity to lend organisational structure and systems that support the Forum. The response to the earthquakes revealed the strength of the Māori leadership in Canterbury.”

Membership is made from mandated representatives from iwi groupings. Norm Dewes (Ngāti Kahungunu), one of the founding members of the Māori Community Leaders Forum says the forum gives the group credibility and authority when working with government agencies and local authorities. “A key role for the forum is to support the role of Ngāi Tahu as tangata whenua – they are also represented within the group.”

Norm says the group is keen to put in place initiatives that provide practical solutions. For instance, with more Māori contractors and workers moving to Ōtautahi to assist with the rebuild, the forum is well placed to introduce newcomers to the city and connect them with the appropriate people and communities. “The earthquake created a lot of hardship and disenfranchisement but it also created a huge opportunity to be recognised as a major contributor to the rebuild and future of Christchurch.”