PĀNUI PĀPĀHO | MEDIA STATEMENT

Te 31 o Whiringa-ā-nuku 2018 | 31 October 2018

A marae emergency project has taken out two awards at this year’s 66th International Association for Emergency Managers (IAEM) Awards in Michigan, USA.

The Marae Emergency Preparedness Project and Implementation Programme, a partnership between Te Puni Kōkiri and the Bay of Plenty Civil Defence and Emergency Management Group was selected as winner of the Partners in Preparedness in both the IAEM-Oceania and IAEM-Global awards categories.

The awards are an opportunity to recognise and honour those who have made a significant contribution to the field of emergency management.

Te Puni Kōkiri Chief Executive Michelle Hippolite said it was an honour to receive the award and is recognition of the partnership Te Puni Kōkiri shares with whānau, hapū and iwi.

“At the very core of our Civil Defence efforts is supporting the wellbeing of marae.”

“We know during times of crisis what great stress this puts on whānau, hapū, iwi and communities. Which is why we designed a toolkit to help marae be as prepared as possible in the event of a natural disaster or emergency,” Michelle Hippolite said.

The toolkit encourages whānau, hapū and iwi to think about the possible impacts of a number of natural disasters, and to recognise who are the key people that could be called upon in the event of an emergency. It is a tool for marae and communities across the country.

To learn more about the Civil Defence Marae Emergency Preparedness Plan 2017 visit the Te Puni Kōkiri website.

To find out more about the 2018 IAEM award winners visit the IAEM conference website. The awards ceremony was held last week in the US.

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Media contact: Nicky Birch 027 762 7293

Caption to attached photo: Te Puni Kōkiri Senior Advisor Shaneen Simpson-Almond (left) receives awards at the 66th International Association for Emergency Managers (IAEM) Awards in Michigan, USA, 2018.