Manatū Hauora – Ministry of Health has announced funding for research to enable a better understanding of the scope and scale of the health and wellbeing impacts of the cyclone on affected communities, in Hawke's Bay and Tarawhiti.
The aim is to focus the research on rural communities, Māori, Pacific people and disabled people, including the impacts on mental health and wellbeing of affected communities. This will advance our knowledge about the inter-connections between health, wellbeing and community needs during adverse weather events and support the recovery and rebuilding of communities after Cyclone Gabrielle.
New Zealand universities with the necessary skills and strengths to carry out the research, including the ability to partner with local kaupapa Māori providers along with relevant healthcare providers, community leaders and networks have been invited to submit a proposal to Manatū Hauora.
The findings will be used in conjunction with other relevant research and agency work to implement improvements and build on Aotearoa New Zealand's disaster response knowledge base.
Funding of $1m (GST exclusive) will be awarded to the successful organisation to deliver the project.
