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Māori perspectives on social work disaster practice

  • Social Worker Educator
  • University of Auckland

Research output: Book chapter/Published conference paperChapter (peer-reviewed)peer-review

Abstract

Indigenous communities draw upon their deep-rooted knowledge of the land and environment to inform their responses to disasters. This knowledge, passed down through generations, shapes disaster planning, preparation, response, and recovery, integrating them into social, environmental, and cultural practices. However, in multicultural contexts, the challenge lies in recognising, honouring, and integrating this existing knowledge within dominant disaster response frameworks. Social work, inclusive of Indigenous perspectives, has the potential to serve as an active agent in disaster practice. The earthquakes in Canterbury, Aotearoa New Zealand, from 2010 to 2011, were extensively researched to incorporate Māori perspectives but lacked a social work dimension. This chapter aims to bridge this gap by leveraging existing research from various disciplines alongside the authors’ bicultural and social work perspectives. Through this lens, it explores the understanding of social work and disaster practice within Indigenous contexts.
Original languageEnglish
Title of host publicationThe Routledge International Handbook of Social Work and Disaster Practice
EditorsCarole Adamson, Margaret Alston, Bindi Bennett, Jennifer Boddy, Heather Boetto, Louise Harms, Raewyn Tudor
Place of PublicationOxon & New Yotk
PublisherRoutledge
Chapter4
Pages47-58
Number of pages12
Volume1
Edition1st
ISBN (Electronic)9781003309208
ISBN (Print)9781032310763
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 2025

Publication series

NameRoutledge International Handbooks
PublisherRoutledge - Taylor & Francis Group
Number1
Volume9

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