Save the Children Calls for Tamariki Voice in Aotearoa Disaster Planning

Aotearoa marked International Day for Disaster Risk Reduction on Tuesday, 13 October 2026, with a call to place tamariki at the heart of emergency preparedness. Save the Children New Zealand is urging authorities to recognise children not merely as vulnerable subjects in disasters, but as vital contributors to the resilience of their communities. Jacqui Southey, representing Save the Children New Zealand, stated that emergency planning must better reflect the specific needs and perspectives of children as the country faces increasing risks from flooding, earthquakes, and severe weather. The advocacy highlights that while disasters can severely disrupt education and healthcare, children possess the capacity to make meaningful contributions when empowered with the right information. Southey suggested that involving tamariki in school emergency planning and teaching them to identify local hazards can build significant confidence. This approach aims to shift the focus from planning for children to planning with them, ensuring their emotional wellbeing is considered alongside physical safety. For Māori communities, the inclusion of tamariki in these conversations is viewed as a way to strengthen intergenerational connections and preserve local knowledge. The organisation noted that recent severe weather events have already demonstrated the critical role of marae-based responses. Marae have frequently served as essential hubs, providing food and shelter to those displaced. By involving tamariki Māori in preparedness, the sector can better support the transfer of knowledge regarding environmental changes and collective responsibility within whānau, hapū, and iwi. As emergency management agencies encourage households to develop safety plans, Save the Children emphasizes that protecting children and empowering them are complementary goals. Practical steps include ensuring children know evacuation routes and whom to contact if separated from whānau. According to Waatea News, the initiative serves as a reminder that the people most affected by future emergencies should have a seat at the table in shaping community safety.