Community recovery after the 2005 Matata disaster: Long-term psychological and social impacts

Abstract

Matata is a small coastal community in the Bay of Plenty with a population of 759. The socioeconomic status of the population is very low, with a deprivation index (NZDep2006) of 9. On 18 May 2005, a band of extremely heavy rain passed over Matata. During a 90-minute period 124mm rainfall was recorded, and a total of 300mm rainfall was recorded over the 24-hour period. Severe flooding in the catchments behind Matata caused a major debris avalanche to flow through the township. Impacts of the flooding and debris flow included closures of the main road and railway; the destruction of 27 houses in Matata and damage to a further 87 properties; the evacuation of 538 people; disruption to water and electricity supplies, stormwater and septic tank systems; and the deposition of some 750,000 m3 of debris throughout Matata township and lagoon.

This report describes the community disaster recovery process undertaken within the Matata community two years after the disaster event in 2005. The aims of the study were to:

• Provide detailed information on the community recovery process utilised to assist the Matata community towards a positive recovery;
• Present the findings from 16 case studies discussing the wellbeing of individuals, families and community of Matata;
• Evaluate how well the disaster recovery response worked, and identify factors promoting and hindering success; and
• Propose best practice guidelines for working with communities affected by disasters