Source: New Zealand Plunket Society – Press Release/Statement:
Headline: Looking back one year on from the Kaikoura earthquake
It’s been a year since the Kaikoura earthquake of 14 November 2016 – a natural disaster that had a great effect on many lives. One year on and Plunket would like to recognise the amazing work Community Service Coordinator Marz Simpson did in response to the aftermath of the quake.
After the earthquake, Marz was instrumental in providing support to local whānau. Within three days of the quake she co-ordinated a community focused response for families to connect with others.
Marz set up a Baby and Child welfare centre and worked in collaboration with other organisations and local iwi to provide families with much-needed supplies.
The centre was also a consistent meeting place for mums to get support and reassurance from each other as the community started to rebuild. It has assisted people by bringing them together, preventing isolations and providing a safe space to talk about what has been lost as well and the journey ahead.
Marz is proud of how the community banded together. “It was amazing to see everyone pull together so quickly to provide one place for our young families to access what they needed – be it supplies or support or just a hug.”
The centre is still operating and distributing remaining supplies, connecting whānau and providing support for those in need.
Posted by Mamae Munn on
14 November 2017
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