Papakura locals get ready for a crisis

Papakura is cracking on with preparing for disaster.

A delegation from the Community Resilience Network has told Papakura Local Board meeting that its plan is centred on responding at a street and neighbourhood level.

While they were a long way from having a plan for all Papakura, a successful pilot used at Ashdown Place had been rolled out into Hunua Road.

Board chair Brent Catchpole says the group is doing great work and its success at Ashdown Place - based on bringing neighbours together, what skills they could use in an emergency, and being able to respond locally ­- had given it the confidence to expand.

"The fact is that in an emergency you are far more likely to help those you know and who are close at hand," Catchpole says.

The Community Resilience Network recently held its first 'Street Meet' on Hunua Road, residents and businesses meeting in the Papakura Marae car park to connect, share food and access safety and disaster prevention information.

Marae head and team member Tony Kake says emergency services staff turned out in numbers.

"These are the people who play an integral part in keeping Papakura strong, safe and ready. We can play our part by spreading the message and involving more streets, with our goal being to have plans in place across the entire community."

Resilience team member Andrea Beard says being ready for a disaster shouldn't be a chore.

"It's about staying connected, knowing your neighbours, and what to do in an emergency.

"In our busy lives we're used to living online when real life bonds are invaluable.

"One of the benefits of coming together was people being able to share concerns about the number of trucks in Hunua Road. They were able to present a unified voice and council has already established a team to better manage road safety issues."

Children from Edmund Hillary Primary School, which is on Hunua Road, sang Happy Birthday to Kake, with residents acknowledging his work at the marae, though he was quick to acknowledge that while the marae was happy to be involved, the scheme worked best at a street level.

"We'll be there for our community but to really work, people need to say, 'I can make that work in my street'. It's too big a job for one, but together we can make a difference."

• The Street Activation pilot is funded by Auckland Council, Papakura Local Board, Neighbour's Aotearoa, and Neighbourhood Support Papakura District. To find out more or take a role in getting our street click here.

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