More than 12,000 people could be forced to evacuate up Napier Hill, in the background, in the event of a tsunami or earthquake. Photo / Warren Buckland
More than 12,000 people could be forced to evacuate up Napier Hill, in the background, in the event of a tsunami or earthquake. Photo / Warren Buckland
More than 12,000 people could be forced to evacuate to Napier Hill if there is a tsunami threat, but where would they all go?
A recent study of Napier Hill/Mataruahou residents found that those who live on the hill would be happy to host and support evacuees displaced by anearthquake or tsunami.
The study was done with Massey University as part of wider East Coast Life at the Boundary research around earthquakes.
Dr Julia Becker, a senior lecturer at the university who led the project, said it was useful for highlighting practical next steps to support the community.
"A key outcome of the study was highlighting the need to do more community-led risk reduction planning, identifying local needs, abilities, and critical enabling resources, while preparing Napier Hill and surrounding areas better for disaster events."
A recent study has found that residents of Napier Hill would be happy to welcome evacuees into their home following an earthquake or tsunami. Photo / NZME
Group controller at Hawke's Bay Civil Defence Emergency Management Group Ian Macdonald said the study was a great way to understand how the community felt about having people on their doorstep looking for help.
"If we have a tsunami, people need to evacuate inland or to higher ground, and that could mean 12,000 more people on the hill. We wanted to find out the 'what then' – would residents be willing to help the evacuees, and what would that look like?"
These were the questions put to people invited to take part in focus groups or complete the survey, he said.
And they were "really pleased" to hear what people had to say.
"Napier Hill residents were generally happy to host evacuees and offer support if they could, though only for the first few days."
Group Controller at Hawke's Bay Civil Defence Emergency Management Group Ian Macdonald was "really pleased" with the findings of the study. Photo / Supplied
The focus groups were given a scenario of a magnitude 8.9 earthquake and tsunami from the Hikurangi subduction zone and asked to reflect on the scenario, their priorities, and their willingness and ability to support evacuees.
The scenario described intense shaking, widespread liquefaction, land subsidence and severe damage from tsunami waves and aftershocks following the earthquake.
"During an event like this it is expected that there would be damage to water infrastructure and so people may be without running water for some time, so it's important to have three litres of water per day."
Napier City councillor Hayley Browne, herself a Napier Hill resident, holds the community resilience portfolio on council.
She said it reinforced perceptions that it's "part of Kiwis' nature to be welcoming, particularly in times of need".
Napier City Council developed a resource flyer that was mailed out to nearly 2000 households on the Napier Hill to raise awareness about hosting evacuees in case of emergency . Photo / NZME
"I'm excited for the next step where we can do a bit of planning and support our communities to be best prepared for supporting each other in their time of need."
After the research project, Napier City Council developed a resource flyer that was mailed to nearly 2000 households on Mataruahou to raise awareness and spark ideas about how hill residents could host evacuees in case of an emergency.
Council also invited interested residents from Neighbourhood Support Groups to a hui to discuss ways to increase preparedness on the hill.
As a result of this work, the council is working with volunteers on the hill to source locations for at least three large water tanks, each capable of storing 4000 litres, for community to access in an emergency.
