Earthquake Bulletin No. 16

Staff visited five schools with significant Māori student populations and/or Māori language programmes. All schools reported significant decline in student numbers (especially Māori students), although all students have been located. Also, some teachers have left Christchurch and their future plans are unclear.

Published: Rāapa, 23 Poutūterangi, 2011 | Wednesday, 23 March 2011

Update from Ōtautahi

Te Puni Kōkiri currently has 14 staff on the ground in Otaūtahi.

Staff visited five schools with significant Māori student populations and/or Māori language programmes. All schools reported significant decline in student numbers (especially Māori students), although all students have been located. Also, some teachers have left Christchurch and their future plans are unclear. All schools reported concerns about low Māori enrolments, and the impact this would have on funding and staffing in 2012. Schools identified need for support for pastoral care for children and their families.

97% of all schools are now open. KKM o Te Whanau Tahi has high level of student attendance. A number of kohanga remain closed. The Kohanga Coordination Centre reported concern about forthcoming funding cycle (for four month period from April) because of low student numbers.

TPK staff attended two community information meetings. These meetings were chaired by Bob Parker, and CD, MSD, Police, Fire, EQC presented information. They also fielded questions (on a 1-1 basis). There was a low Māori attendance at these meetings.

Staff visited Lytlleton RAC and reported low visitor numbers. Rapaki marae has sustained minor damage from the 5.1 earthquale on 20th March.

Details of Te Kahui Manga website provided to field staff, so that they can support people to contact their iwi organizations.

Ngā Hau e Whā Recovery Assistance Centre (RAC)

Approximately 159 enquiries processed over the last 2 days (21 & 22 March). Queries include: WINZ (47), Red Cross (48), HNZ (13), Salvation Army (28) and Christchurch CC (18). Approximately 4 sought counselling services. (NB, some clients may have visited more than one service provider).

TPK continue to link clients up with the most appropriate counselling service which improves outcomes for clients. TPK are increasing our engagement with visitors to also ensure they are receiving the relevant and enough support at the RAC.

The Salvation Army has withdrawn from this RAC after a very short attendance (1 day).

Report of particular case of unsanitary water (even after boiling), directed to Chch CC.

Māori Wardens

Wardens continued door-to-door activities. They reported ongoing demand for food, water, supplies for young and chemical toilets. There was on-going concerns that mains water was still not drinkable after extensive boiling. They are starting to encounter a number of people with serious addictions.

NGO Rebuild

At the MSD convened meeting of NGO’s on Monday morning there was general discussion followed by a number of break-out groups. The general discussion highlighted the importance of: effective communications between parties; collaboration of effort; importance of clarifying funding arrangements for services. In the Māori sub-group, there was a particular focus on: Kanohi ki te kanohi engagement; community directed responses; support for high needs in the eastern suburbs; the value of locating agencies in communities; security issues(i.e. protection of property and safety of residents). Further meetings will be convened on a three weekly cycle.

Welfare Planning Group

A Welfare Planning Group meeting was held yesterday (including sub-groups). An initial report from Operation Suburbs has been prepared. A further version will be developed that will include ethnicity data. A data map will be presented on Friday as the basis for needs assessment.

TPK has been asked for details of addresses that were visited by Ngāi Tahu and Māori Wardens, as well as Red Cross data that we have. The CD National Controller has stressed the importance of data sharing among welfare agencies. [note: the Privacy Commissioner has prepared an interim code to enable data sharing to support earthquake victims, which will remain in place until 24May].

A ‘mood switch’ has been noted generally among the community, with more people seeking counselling support.

 

Education

This meeting reported 7000 displaced students, and identified difficulties in tracking these children. [note: schools visited by TPK reported good tracking of, and connections with, Māori students]. There was some concern about the ‘split shift’ system from schools (with a morning shift and an afternoon shift for some schools at education hubs). This creates logistical issues in terms of (a) bus transport and (b) parental supervision. There was also some concern about the potential for truancy. It was also suggested that social service provision hubs could be located at schools. MoE will investigate availability of classrooms (either existing or pre-fabs) for this. Will be important to ensure services for Māori are fitted to the target population.

 

Psycho-Social

Focus on community resilience. MSD looking to provide training for NGOs generally. TPK has been asked to identify people with a background in community development to brief a meeting on community development and resilience.

He Oranga Pounamu (HOP)

HOP has assumed responsibility for planning and coordination of social services, across Ngai Tahu, Māori NGOs, Wardens, and other stakeholders. TPK met with CE of HOP to discuss development of a draft action plan. A meeting with NGOs is scheduled for 28 March to confirm the plan. Its key focus will be the establishment of multidisciplinary kaiarahi teams, based on the kaitoko whanau approach.

Tribal Support Packages

Te Puni Kōkiri staff in Christchurch are still trying to gather all information on Tribal Support Packages in one place. If you are aware that your iwi have support packages in place, please could you email the details and the contact persons for this support to me, by return email?

Useful numbers and websites