Indigenous-led community research in a changing climate: impacts of Cyclone Gabrielle on the health and wellbeing of Māori in Te Tairāwhiti, Aotearoa New Zealand

Abstract

This article shares the process and product of a community research project in Te Tairāwhiti, an East Coast region of the North Island of Aotearoa, New Zealand, heavily impacted by Cyclone Gabrielle and repeated flooding events. We begin by sharing insights into our collaborative journey, doing research in, with and for our community in the context of post-disaster. Then we present five key findings from interviews and focus groups with 40 Māori living in the region, including: (1) the impacts on Māori health and wellbeing, (2) the critical role of marae (sacred place of Māori culture), (3) the impacts on rural and coastal communities, (4) the response from Iwi (tribal group) health providers and (5) Māori leadership. We conclude with key reflections and considerations for research about climate change and extreme weather events by, with and for Indigenous communities.