Xavier Forsman - Māori accounts of disaster recovery

Xavier Forsman - Poukōkiri Rangahau Māori at Research North reviews the 1931 Hawke’s Bay earthquake from a Te Ao Māori perspective. He breaks down the Maori concept of mana as an illustration of the unique way in which the Maori community were impacted by this disaster and the ways in which recovery was intimately tied to the restoration of mana. His work in this area led Xavier to the story of the Whakatu Freezing works and the further impact its closure had on a close knit community. In the following talk, both events are discussed in terms of disaster, environmental and economic, offering a deeper understanding of their wider impact and ways in which we might better embrace new opportunities moving forward with a shared understanding. Haramai tētahi ahua! Enjoy the journey! Images from Auckland Libraries Heritage Collections: Refugee camp, Nelson Park, Napier, 1931: https://bit.ly/3co6Fhr Napier after the earthquake, 1931: https://bit.ly/3dzDAzI Te Aute College bell lying among wreckage after the Napier earthquake: http://bit.ly/38CYtbk Lord Bledisloe at the combined church service held in Napier following the earthquake: http://bit.ly/2V225Qm Badly damaged Wairoa traffic bridge at Wairoa: http://bit.ly/2uIhlqN Auckland Weekly News: Hastings from the air, 1934: http://bit.ly/37yCRvd Whakatū Freezing Works, Hawkes Bay, 1949 (Title image): https://bit.ly/3fzCuWx Whakatu community plan: 2015-2020: http://bit.ly/38GuMWQ Recorded live at the Auckland Central Library on 5 February 2020.