Natural disasters, Cyclone Gabrielle and the Otago floods effect on mental health w/ The University of Auckland’s George Laking: 14 October, 2024

A year and a half ago Cyclone Gabrielle made landfall, thrashing the North Island with widespread damage. 

The disaster left many without a home, and over a year on houses are still red stickered, people are left waiting for insurance assessments, and climate change is still causing extreme climate events. 

Earlier this month the Otago region was affected by major flooding, damaging homes and other community centres. 

Associate Professor at the University of Auckland, George Laking says that extreme weather events like these impact people’s homes, whānau and livelihoods, and in the wake of them it’s paramount to consider people’s mental health. 

Following Cyclone Gabrielle, Laking identified five key health priorities that should be prioritised in natural disaster responses. 

Producer Evie spoke to Laking about these responses, how they related to Cyclone Gabrielle, and how they could be better applied in the wake of the Otago floods.