Towns in climate study
South Taranaki’s mayor welcomes the inclusion of Waitõtara in a study looking at adaptation to climate change.
The two-year research project, headed by Professor Bruce Glavovic from Massey University, will focus on Waito¯tara and the Waitõtara Valley, and Waitara in north Taranaki.
Researchers will work with iwi and hapû as well as other key members of the Waitõtara community to model and plan for climate change adaptation, assisted by South Taranaki District Council staff members.
‘‘I think it is a very exciting thing to come to our district,’’ mayor Phil Nixon said, ‘‘and for Waito¯tara to be chosen.
‘‘There is so much diversity in that region. It’s quite exciting.
‘‘Other iwi want to be part of the ko¯rero, as a lot of it will be similar for all.’’
Taranaki and the Manawatu¯/ Whanganui regions were chosen for the Deep South National Science Challenge-funded project, called Living With Uncertainty, as both regions have received limited adaptation research, district council environment and sustainability manager
Rebecca Martin said.
‘‘We are pretty lucky to be involved,’’ she told the council’s policy and strategy meeting in
Ha¯wera on Monday.
Waito¯tara was chosen based on socioeconomic and cultural factors and because it is at risk from increased flooding and landslips.
The township, which has a population of about 70, is regularly affected by flooding and weather events, including major floods in 2004 and 2015.
In 2020, Ngamatapouri School and its community up the Waito¯tara Valley was cut off for several days by a washout on the only access road during torrential rain.
It is expected that community and iwi/ hapu¯ workshops will begin later this year.
Taking part would not cost the council anything other than staff time, Martin said.
‘‘Being involved with the project will provide valuable insight for council staff as it will help us to learn how best to engage with and discuss complex and emotive climate change topics, using the Waito¯tara community as a test case,’’ she said.
The New Plymouth District Council’s adaptation and iwi liaison staff would be working with the Waitara community on the research project there, Martin said.