There is growing expectation that local volunteers will play a more integrated role in disaster response, yet emergent groups are often ‘outsiders’ to crisis management, prompting questions of the conditions and processes by which these groups can forge relationships with established response agencies, and the tensions which can arise those interactions. This article analyses how student-led volunteers, as an emergent group, nevertheless gained “authority to operate” in the aftermath of the 2010-2011 earthquakes in Canterbury, New Zealand. Our study demonstrates how established response agencies and emergent groups can form hugely impactful and mutually supportive relationships. However, our analysis also points to two interrelated tensions that can arise, regarding the terms by which emergent groups are recognised, and the ‘distance’ considered necessary between emergent groups and established response agencies. The discussion considers implications for inclusiveness, risk and responsibility if emergent volunteers are to be further integrated into disaster response.
Page 5 of Section O of the Christchurch Press, published on Wednesday 23 February 2011.
A volunteer hands out an icecream as part of the Random Acts of Kindness initiative on Campus.
Photograph captioned by Fairfax, "Volunteers help clean up liquefaction on Acland Avenue. Robson Avenue resident Kelly Gearry".
A student in the Student Volunteer Army cleaning up silt on a residential property after the earthquake.
A photograph of a volunteer using a small digger to clear the former site of Piko Wholefoods.
Wayne Youle and volunteers painting his mural, 'I Seem to Have Temporarily Misplaced My Sense of Humour'.
A volunteer painting a sheet of wood for the dance floor of Gap Filler's "Dance-O-Mat".
A volunteer painting a sheet of wood for the dance floor of Gap Filler's "Dance-O-Mat".
A volunteer in a hard hat and high-visibility vest building the stage of the Pallet Pavilion.
A photograph of a volunteer at the temporary emergency management offices at the Mainland Foundation Ball Park.
A volunteer painting a sheet of wood for the dance floor of Gap Filler's "Dance-O-Mat".
A volunteer painting a sheet of wood for the dance floor of Gap Filler's "Dance-O-Mat".
Wayne Youle and volunteers painting his mural, 'I Seem to Have Temporarily Misplaced My Sense of Humour'.
Governor General Sir Gerry Mataparae and Student Volunteer Army representatives inspect the ANZAC of the Year Award.
Governor General Sir Gerry Mataparae and Student Volunteer Army representatives inspect the ANZAC of the Year Award.
Governor General Sir Gerry Mataparae and Student Volunteer Army representatives hold the ANZAC of the Year Award.
Governor General Sir Gerry Mataparae and Student Volunteer Army representatives hold the ANZAC of the Year Award.
Governor General Sir Gerry Mataparae and Student Volunteer Army representatives hold the ANZAC of the Year Award.
Governor General Sir Gerry Mataparae and Student Volunteer Army representatives inspect the ANZAC of the Year Award.
Students in the Student Volunteer Army being briefed by Civil Defence about the cleanup needed in Kaiapoi.
A local resident photographed with students in the Student Volunteer Army cleaning up silt after the earthquake.
Governor General Sir Gerry Mataparae and Student Volunteer Army representatives inspect the ANZAC of the Year Award.
UCSA Student President Nick McDonnell speaks at an event held to thank the Student Volunteer Army.
Students in the Student Volunteer army at Chisnallwood Intermediate preparing to clean up silt after the earthquake.
A photograph of volunteers from the Wellington Emergency Management Office conversing on a residential street in Christchurch.
A volunteer in a hard hat and high-visibility vest, photographed at the partially built Pallet Pavilion.
Governor General Sir Gerry Mataparae and Student Volunteer Army representatives hold the ANZAC of the Year Award.
A volunteer posing in his kilt on St Andrew's Day, during the construction of the Pallet Pavilion.
This panel discussion was presented by Sati Ravichandiren, President (Student Volunteer Army) The Canterbury Earthquakes Symposium, jointly hosted by the Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet and the Christchurch City Council, was held on 29-30 November 2018 at the University of Canterbury in Christchurch. The purpose of the event was to share lessons from the Canterbury earthquakes so that New Zealand as a whole can be better prepared in future for any similar natural disasters. Speakers and presenters included Greater Christchurch Regeneration Minister, Hon Dr Megan Woods, Christchurch Mayor, Lianne Dalziel, Ngāi Tahu chief executive, Arihia Bennett, head of the public inquiry into EQC, Dame Sylvia Cartwright, urban planner specialising in disaster recovery and castrophe risk management, Dr Laurie Johnson; Christchurch NZ chief executive and former Press editor, Joanna Norris; academic researcher and designer, Barnaby Bennett; and filmmaker, Gerard Smyth. About 300 local and national participants from the public, private, voluntary sectors and academia attended the Symposium. They represented those involved in the Canterbury recovery effort, and also leaders of organisations that may be impacted by future disasters or involved in recovery efforts. The focus of the Symposium was on ensuring that we learn from the Canterbury experience and that we can apply those learnings.