Newsletter
September 2018 issue – Economics Programme
Feature: Dismal research of a boring topic: An economic investigation of disaster insurance
In this Economics Programme spotlight we find out about work exploring the effect of insurance payouts on economic recovery after the Christchurch quakes. By analysing night-time light density in the Canterbury area after the devastating 2011 quake, researchers have determined the effect insurance payouts had on residential recovery. The team also investigated the recovery of businesses in the area, and how delayed payments impacted their ability to recover.
In addition, we learn about the importance of personal relationships in risk mitigation, how to build economic resilience to the flow-on impacts of natural hazard events, and we learn about the Wellington Lifelines Regional Resilience Project.
We also get to know Cuong Nguyen, a PhD student in the research team who is investigating the relationship between earthquake insurance and the property market. His projects include investigating how insurance impacted residential recovery after the Canterbury quakes, and how coastal hazard perception is impacting property values on the Kāpiti Coast.
August 2018
Programme spotlight: Mātauranga Māori Programme
Feature: Reclaiming Māori oral histories to understand tsunami hazard and history
In this issue we find out about work exploring Māori ancestral experience with tsunami(s) on Rangitoto (D’Urville Island). In addition to this, the newsletter includes a story on the development of te reo resources for whānau, hapū, iwi, marae – Wānanga and Māori language teachers across Aotearoa, explores the use of iwi management plans in natural hazard management and discusses the development of tsunami risk reduction activities for Kura Kaupapa Māori in Hawke’s Bay. We also get to know Jake Robinson, a PhD student in the research team who is investigating sediment tracing in the Whanganui River catchment.
All stories are provided in both te reo Māori and English.
July 2018
Programme spotlight: Urban
Feature: City to City Collaborative and Knowledge Sharing Network
In this issue we learn about the Urban programme’s work creating a City to City Collaborative and Knowledge Sharing Network for New Zealand. In addition to this, the newsletter includes findings from a study into the role of Buddhist pagodas in the response and recovery of Auckland’s South East Asian communities, insights into the resilience of our civil infrastructure firms and hospitality businesses, as well as that of staff and students at The University of Auckland. We also hear about two Auckland resilience initiatives focused on the city’s Pasifka communities. The issue also features five Urban programme students: Nichapat Sanunsilp, Sam Wilson, Rob Cardwell, Heiman Dianat and Jake McPhee.
June 2018
Programme spotlight: Culture
Feature: Wellington Resilience
This issue’s feature story delves into the Culture programme’s work in our hazard-vulnerable capital city. We learn how the public responded to the recently release Project AF8 videos, and the role of social media in community natural hazard resilience. The use of Minecraft and LEGO to get kids involved in Disaster Risk Reduction is explored, as well as how Petone and Eastbourne residents reacted to the potential tsunami threat after the 2016 Kaikōura earthquake. We also hear from Culture programme PhD students Marion Tan, Lauren Vinnell and Lisa McLaren.
May 2018
Programme spotlight: Edge
Feature: Living at the Edge
The Edge programme’s feature story outlines the work that resulted in their winning the inaugural Terry Healy Coastal Project Award from the New Zealand Coastal Society. The newsletter also includes findings from a survey the team carried out that investigated how Hawke’s Bay residents think coastal hazards in the region should be managed, as well as insights into the work the team is doing around co-creation and managed retreat. We also hear from Edge programme PhD students Laura Robichaux and Ashton Eaves.
April 2018
Programme spotlight: Infrastructure
Feature: Electricity
In this issue’s feature story we learn about the challenges faced when trying to keep the electricity on during and after a natural hazard event. The infrastructure programme also outlines work into Auckland’s ability to evacuate if a volcano erupts, understanding network interdependencies in a natural hazard event and the state of our country’s stopbanks. We also hear from PhD student Xavier Bellagamba about his work exploring the resilience of our urban water supply systems to earthquakes.
March 2018
Programme spotlight: Rural
Feature: Project AF8
The Rural team talk about thier work with Project AF8 in this issue’s feature story, and how an Alpine Fault earthquake might impact New Zealand. The issue also profiles Tyler Barton’s work around New Zealand’s disaster risk responses, provides an insight into the programme’s systematic review of rural resilience and a story about the research being done a year after the Port Hills Fires. We also hear from Rural programme PhD student Alistair Davies and Master’s student Kristie-Lee Thomas about their theses.