Measuring resilience: by whom and for whom? A case study of people-centred resilience indicators in New Zealand.
Le Dé, L., Wairama, K., Sath, M. and Petera, A. (2021), "Measuring resilience: by whom and for whom? A case study of people-centred resilience indicators in New Zealand", Disaster Prevention and Management, Vol. 30 No. 4/5, pp. 538-552. https://doi.org/10.1108/DPM-04-2021-0128
Abstract
Resilience has become a priority of most agendas for disaster risk reduction at different scales leading to an increase demand for measurement of resilience. However, resilience is mostly defined, assessed and measured by outsider experts rather than by those primarily concerned – local people. This article presents the development of people-centred indicators of resilience in New Zealand. It details both the process and outcomes of these indicators.
The paper highlights that people are capable at defining and assessing their own resilience. The indicators enabled people identify and measure areas of low resilience and foster dialogue between locals and practitioners to strengthen it.
The findings should stimulate discussions about who should measure resilience and for whom such measurement is it for. It provides a tool kit that can be used by practitioners and policy makers to measure and strengthen community resilience.