With climate change increasing the chances of severe rainfall, one research team from the University of Waikato has secured $450,000 to help map which areas have been most affected in the past 50 years and which communities could be affected in the next three decades. 

The funding is part of the Toka Tū Ake EQC University Research Programme, which grants a combined total of $4.5 million to successful applicants. 

Dr Luke Harrington and his team from the University of Waikato will use their research to help develop guidance around land use planning and build community resilience in an ever-warming climate.

Part of their challenge will be investigating how peoples’ experiences of extreme weather events stop them preparing for the future, and how this can be overcome to build resilience.

Dr Harrington is one of two leading researchers at the university who have secured funding. 

“Funding is based on the delivery of a three-year research programme, which aligns with the Toka Tū Ake research priorities, including building resilience, reducing the impacts of natural hazards and building stronger homes in less risky places," says Head of Research for Toka Tū Ake Dr Natalie Balfour.

“This year we published our latest Research Priorities Investment Statement, giving researchers clarity on what research areas are important to Toka Tū Ake.”  

The long-standing programme is designed to help PhD and masters’ students develop skills under the guidance of a leading scientist in their field, helping the next generation of scientists continue to build on our collective natural hazard knowledge.  

The successful research topics include resilient buildings, further understanding risks, education, helping empower people and research into smarter land use. The programmes are funded from January 1 2024 and run through to December 31 2026.  

As well as supporting multiple students and early career researchers, these projects will help make a difference for New Zealand.

The last round of programmes helped further research in developing the resilience of marae and infrastructure, contributed towards the National Seismic Hazard Model - which estimates earthquakes across the motu -  and helped to improve national practices for engineers.  

“We’ve provided funding to tertiary institutions across Aotearoa New Zealand to help support natural hazard research and resilience since the 1990s and it continues to play an important role in helping us make a difference for people.  

“Aotearoa New Zealand has many world-leading researchers, and we received a number of great applications. The variety is incredible and I’m looking forward to seeing what they learn, and how it develops our shared understanding and resilience, so that everyone from families to decision-makers can plan more effectively and be more prepared,” says Dr Balfour. 

For a full list of the successful applicants, see below.

Toka Tū Ake EQC:

The forerunner to Toka Tū Ake EQC was set up in 1945 to provide affordable natural hazard insurance to help communities recover. Today, our mission still reflects that same commitment: to reduce the impact on people and property when natural hazards occur.

Toka Tū Ake EQC is a Crown Entity that operates under the Earthquake Commission Act 1993. We invest in natural hazard research and education to help communities to reduce their risks, and we provide natural hazard insurance cover for damage to residential properties caused by earthquakes.

The Public Inquiry into the Earthquake Commission recommended the organisation change its name to better reflect that our scope extends beyond earthquakes to deliver insurance and expertise for a range of natural hazards, including volcanic eruptions, hydrothermal activity, tsunamis, land slips, as well as damage to land from storms and floods. Toka Tū Ake means the foundation from which we stand strong, together.

In order to support us to build familiarity with our new name, we invite you to refer to us as Toka Tū Ake EQC. Please avoid acronyms for Toka Tū Ake EQC.