Te Kakau spent 27 years in the New Zealand Army, including eight years as an incident controller. He also spent years overseas working for the United Nations in disaster zones. His mother died six weeks ago.
"It's giving back to the community," he said.
"These people here are the ones who will talk to their children and grandchildren, and they will listen to them."
Te Kakau said marae were especially important, should disaster strike, because they sheltered many people.
"But it's not about us Māori, it's about the community as a whole.
"If something happened here in Maungatapu, this marae and Hairini would gladly open their doors to anyone needing help."
Te Kakau hoped to repeat the training to elders at marae across the region.
Ngai te Ahi Ngati He Hauora operations manager Ngawaiiti Ririnui said the training was important and invaluable - especially as all Ngāi te Rangi marae lie within tsunami evacuation red zones.
"Here, there aren't a lot of roads so if something happens, it's important that we know what we are doing," she said.
Training included first aid, keeping quality water, how much food to pack for a week, stocking up on medication if needed, and even how best to look after pets or what to do if pets go missing if a disaster hits.
Ririnui said many elderly often put others' needs ahead of their own "but no, this is about them because they are important".
