Building Community Resilience in West Auckland
The extreme weather events of the past few years, including the Auckland Anniversary Floods and Cyclone Gabrielle highlighted the urgent need for improved disaster readiness and response systems at every level. A study conducted in West Auckland on the response to these events - commissioned by Community Waitākere and supported by West Auckland Together - emphasized the need for community-level preparation, not just household and organizational readiness. The study underscores the importance of developing local response groups that can inform and be supported by official organizations. This approach aligns with Auckland Emergency Management’s recognition that, in disasters, immediate assistance primarily comes from neighbours, whānau, and local community groups, with their website encouraging a proactive approach to disaster scenarios.
As global climate change amplifies the risk, scale, severity, and impact of extreme weather events, we must adapt – reducing our carbon emissions, becoming more resilient, and preparing for climate disasters before they happen. When these disasters strike, external help may be delayed or overwhelmed due to the widespread nature of the crisis. That’s why it’s critical to ensure our streets, neighbourhoods, and wider communities are disaster-ready.
A growing number of communities across Auckland and wider Aotearoa are taking these steps. Recognising the power of community-led readiness, Community Waitākere launched the Community Resilience Project, a grassroots initiative dedicated to fostering collective disaster preparedness in West Auckland. Led by Shalema Wanden-Hannay and supported by community groups, resilience organizations, Auckland Council, and Local Boards, the project empowers communities to take an active role in their own disaster response and recovery.
This mahi continues today, focusing on how simple preparedness steps taken collectively before disaster occurs can make problem-solving and mutual support more effective during and after crises. Unlike individual household preparedness, this initiative centers on collaborative readiness at the street, neighbourhood, and community levels. Local people possess knowledge of their areas, connections, and resources, and many essential disaster-response tools already exist within communities. Taking small but meaningful steps together – such as getting to know neighbours, establishing communication networks, and mapping local resources - can significantly improve disaster response capabilities.
Over the past year, the project has engaged hundreds of residents through workshops, presentations, and mentoring. With a focus on hyper-local readiness, it has catalyzed the formation of seven new resilience groups and strengthened existing networks. These efforts ensure that in times of crisis, communities have the tools, knowledge, and support to act swiftly and effectively. For example, Karekare had a resilience plan and network in place before the Auckland Anniversary Floods and Cyclone Gabrielle, demonstrating the effectiveness of pre-disaster preparation. Their readiness allowed them to coordinate resources, communicate efficiently, and support one another when external assistance was delayed, ensuring a more effective, community-led response.
Looking ahead, Shalema will continue providing hands-on support to help more streets, neighbourhoods, and communities become disaster-ready. If you’re in West Auckland and would like to take the next steps, you can contact Shalema for
A customized presentation or workshop on how to prepare your street, neighbourhood, or community for disasters
Hands-on support in creating a resilience or preparedness plan for your area
Assistance for your community in taking the next steps for an established resilience group or network
A Climate Fresk workshop – a fun, collaborative exercise that explains the science behind climate change and empowers participants to take action
Guidance on initiating collective disaster readiness in your neighbourhood
This project is funded by Auckland Council, so participation is free. The focus remains on West Auckland, where Shalema – who previously led the creation of Karekare’s resilience plan and witnessed its effectiveness firsthand during Cyclone Gabrielle – continues to support communities in strengthening their disaster response capacity.
For more information on Local Board Emergency Readiness and Response plans in your local area—an excellent first step in getting involved—visit:
