Western Bay of Plenty marae are being earmarked as possible emergency centres during major disasters.
Civil Defence operations manager for Tauranga and the Western Bay, Alan Pearce, says informal discussions with a number of marae in the region have taken place.
“If there is a major disaster and people can’t return to their homes, we have the responsibility to provide them with accommodation.”

Whareroa Marae.

He says marae are already well set up, have the capacity to hold large numbers and the necessary accommodation needs.
“Marae play quite an important local role in the community.”
He says discussions with representatives from marae have not set out strict guidelines in a disaster situation.
“I wouldn’t impose any demands on any marae during an event.”
Alan says those who already have affiliations to a particular marae would naturally go there in times of disaster and the feeling he got from marae representatives was that they would welcome others who needed help.
“Anyone who’s been to a marae will know it’s a warm, welcoming place.”
He believes marae would only be used in a disaster that limited Civil Defence’s ability to immediately look after people.
Alan is also interested to hear from other marae representatives. He can be contact on 027 284 9550.