Recovery in Tairāwhiti

Recovery is one of the core responsibilities of Civil Defence Emergency Management (CDEM) in Aotearoa.

The CDEM Act 2002 describes recovery as ‘The coordinated efforts and processes to bring about the immediate, medium-term and long-term holistic regeneration of a community follow a civil defence emergency.’

Recovery starts while we’re still responding to an emergency — it doesn’t wait until the sirens stop.

From Response to Recovery 

As an emergency evolves, planning for recovery begins early. When the immediate response phase winds down, responsibility gradually moves from the Civil Defence Controller to the Group Recovery Manager. A dedicated Recovery Office is then established to coordinate recovery activity across the Tairāwhiti region.

The Recovery Office works works with hapū, iwi, community organisations and lifeline utilities, council services, government agencies, the Crown and other key stakeholders and funders. Its role is to assess the impacts, prioritise needs, plan long-term recovery actions, and support communities through the transition from response to restoration and resilience.

Our People-first Approach

In Tairāwhiti, recovery is led with our people at the centre. That means:

• Listening to communities and supporting locally driven solutions
• Working alongside iwi, hapū, marae committees and trusted networks
• Recognising the mana of whānau and the knowledge of those directly impacted
• Balancing the needs of social, cultural, environmental and economic wellbeing
• Aspiring for long term resilience informed by the community.

Recovery here is about restoring wellbeing - not just infrastructure.

What Recovery Involves

Recovery planning and delivery in Tairāwhiti is structured around four internationally recognised recovery environments:

Social Environment

Supporting the wellbeing of people and whānau, including access to housing, psychosocial support, health services, education, community connection and culturally led initiatives.

Built Environment

Repairing and reinstating essential infrastructure and community assets — such as roads, bridges, three waters networks, telecommunications and public facilities.

Economic Environment

Helping local businesses, primary industries and workers recover and adapt. This includes business continuity, funding pathways, sector support and long-term economic resilience.

Natural Environment

Restoring and protecting the whenua, awa, coastline and ecosystems. This includes land stabilisation, erosion and debris management, biodiversity recovery and environmental health. These environments are deeply connected, and recovery actions are coordinated to reflect local priorities and long-term resilience goals.

Cyclone Gabrielle Recovery

The ongoing recovery from Cyclone Gabrielle in February 2023 continues to shape much of the mahi in Tairāwhiti. Major projects are underway to rebuild infrastructure, stabilise land, support communities and protect livelihoods.

Working Together for the Future

Recovery is a shared journey. Our role is to enable, advocate and connect so communities can drive their own recovery in a way that protects what matters most — our people, our whenua and our future. We also have a responsibility to ensure locally owned assets and networks are restored, and that we gather and learn from the lessons and experiences along the way.