Rōhutu Rapid Risk Assessment and Adaptation Pathways Plan
Purpose: To provide at-risk residents, community members, tangata whenua, local government, and
relevant stakeholders and interested and affected parties, with:
1.
Rapid Risk Assessment: A jointly developed summary of the best available understanding about risk
in the short- (1-10 years), medium- (10-50 years) and long-term (50-100+ years)
a.
Note: (i)
Understanding includes local knowledge, Mātauranga Māori, scientific and technical
knowledges; (ii)
Risk = exposure to possible hazards, sensitivity to loss and damage, and capabilities
to reduce vulnerability.
b. This summary includes the most up to date available
visualisation of risk elements and will be
written in
plain language to improve awareness and understanding.
2.
Adaptation Pathways Plan: Jointly develop a plan (see example on next page) that:
a. Is founded on
shared community values, vision and goals b. Identifies, compares and prioritises
risk reduction responses (e.g., warnings + evacuation;
protection like seawall or nature-based solutions; measures to accommodate impacts like raise
buildings; planned relocation) given effectiveness and feasibility (financial, technical, cultural, etc.).
c. Identifies
thresholds (or triggers) at which a response option(s) become unviable and alternative
responses are needed (e.g., a seawall design standard, e.g., 1:50 year protection, is no longer
adequate in face of recurring storm / erosion damage & planned relocation necessary).
d. Identifies and prioritises
preferred pathways from one response option(s) to others over time.
e. Develops a
monitoring and evaluation framework to recognise and mobilise action.
f. Identifies
priority short-term actions that require urgent attention in parallel with adaptation
planning; as well as
funding and capability building opportunities to support adaptation.
g. Integrates above in a negotiated
framework Agreement (the ‘plan’) that is signed and adopted by
all partners with implementation responsibilities, including the Rōhutu Ahu Whenua Trust, NPDC
and TRC, residents, and others to be identified.
h. Is
shared with residents, community members, tangata whenua, local government and relevant
stakeholders and interested and affected parties, incl. EQC, insurers, banks, etc.
Approach
•
Led by joint Rōhutu Working Group: To be established, e.g., Trustees; resident rep(s); local govt reps;
tangata whenua rep? (4-5 people).
Facilitated by Bruce Glavovic (Massey). Signed agreement by Aug
2025 ahead of local elections in Oct 2025.
•
Share findings with Rōhutu residents and Waitara community & Taranaki public, e.g., community
briefs/newsletter on risk and adaptation planning; open days/drop-in sessions; report-back hui;
workshop; public displays; Facebook, etc.
•
Share findings with NPDC and TRC, e.g., Council champion identified; regular Council briefings by
Working Group representative (e.g., 1x bimonthly); regular briefings for officials; may be helpful to have
inter-council working group.
•
Coordinate with other relevant initiatives, e.g., NPDC LTP demolition project, etc. •
Initiate priority actions in parallel with above; seek additional funding and available support. Suggested activities and timeframe
•
Nov-Jan 2025: Project set up; initial joint Working Group meeting in Jan 2025.
•
Feb-: Ongoing community liaison and awareness raising about activities; identify urgent priority actions
•
Mar-Apr: Complete Rapid Risk Assessment
•
May-Jun: Prepare Adaptation Pathways Plan (framework Agreement)
•
Jul-Aug: Review and sign ‘the plan’ (framework Agreement)
•
Sep-Dec: Socialise Research-in-Action; raise awareness and mobilise partners; embed ‘plan’ in practice.
Bruce Glavovic, Massey University, 26 November 2024
EXAMPLE OF STEPS TAKEN BY A COMMUNITY TO REDUCE RISK IN FACE OF SEA-LEVEL RISE
Bruce Glavovic, Massey University, 26 November 2024
