Papakura Community Resilience: Local Leadership, Shared Solutions
In April, the Papakura Community Resilience Network (CRN) came together to allocate $85,000 in Resilient Auckland funding (along with additional support from TSI) — a process guided by community priorities, partnership, and the principles of Hautū Waka, our emergent planning and delivery approach.
This milestone was more than a year in the making, reflecting the time it takes to build meaningful relationships and move at the pace of community. Originally convened by Carol McKenzie-Rex to develop a Community Disaster Resilience Plan, the CRN brings together a wide range of local organisations: Ngāti Tamaoho, Neighbourhood Support, Papakura Marae, Sustainable Papakura, Tākaanini Gurdwara, Kootuitui, Blue Light, Redhill Community Centre, and residents' groups.
The funding workshop built on a series of 2024 community sessions hosted by Emergency Hubs across Papakura, Takanini, and Drury. It also followed a February project-pitching event where nine initiatives were proposed to address locally identified resilience priorities, including:
Kai security: Tākaanini Gurdwara offered access to 2ha of land for a new community garden
Energy sharing: Papakura Marae is embarking on a community energy initiative
Circular economy: Sustainable Papakura aims to grow its local repair café network
Environmental risk: Ngāti Tamaoho raised ongoing concerns about the former landfill site at Ōtāwhati Park and the flood risk it poses to the Manukau Harbour
Climate education: Blue Light proposed engaging 800 students in urban heat and flooding education through tree planting
Flood readiness: Kootuitui looked to extend its Warm Dry Homes kaupapa by supporting section clearing for flood-prone households
On Saturday 5 April, CRN members gathered at the Papakura Local Board office for the final funding decision-making workshop. Facilitated by TSI Māori Outcomes Lead Marisa Pene, the process was inspired by the Tokelauan concept of inati — a traditional, consensus-based method of sharing resources to ensure everyone in the village is supported.
Robust, values-driven discussions led to funding allocations that reflect the collective aspirations of the Papakura community. This process stands as a meaningful example of local climate leadership, kaupapa Māori approaches to resilience, and the power of community-led investment.