Porirua residents are being encouraged to prepare for major emergencies by familiarising themselves with their nearest Community Emergency Hub—a place where neighbours can gather to support one another when disaster strikes.
The Wellington Region Emergency Management Office (WREMO) is running a campaign this month to highlight the importance of community-led responses in the aftermath of disasters such as earthquakes. Damaged infrastructure and limited resources mean emergency services will focus on the most urgent situations, leaving communities to take care of immediate local needs.
A Community-Led Response
Pooja Kulkarni, Community Resilience Team Leader at WREMO, says that the best way to get through a disaster is by working together.
“As we have seen in the Canterbury earthquakes and most recently Cyclone Gabrielle, communities naturally come together to help each other,” Kulkarni said.
She emphasised that while WREMO provides training and guidance, Community Emergency Hubs are entirely community-led, run by locals supporting one another.
“There’s no official help running these hubs, but our communities are more prepared than they think. People already have skills and resources that will be vital after an emergency,” she added.
Porirua’s Community Emergency Hubs
There are eight Community Emergency Hubs across Porirua, each providing a space where residents can coordinate relief efforts and share resources. The hubs are located in:
- Ascot
- Cannons Creek
- Elsdon/Takapūwāhia
- Papakowhai
- Pāuatahanui
- Plimmerton, Mana, and Camborne
- Pukerua Bay
- Ranui (Porirua East)
Each hub is equipped with basic tools and a guide to help community members organise their response. However, they do not store food, water, or blankets—residents are encouraged to bring and share supplies as needed.
Throughout March, WREMO is hosting events at hubs across the region to help residents connect and strengthen community resilience. Activities include emergency response practices, quiz nights, movie nights, and board game days.
Get Involved
Porirua residents can find their nearest Community Emergency Hub by visiting: www.wremo.nz/hubs
For details on upcoming hub events, visit: www.wremo.nz/calendar.
