The adaptive capacity of New Zealand communities to wildfire

Abstract

When we think of natural disasters in New Zealand, we tend to think of earthquakes or volcanic eruptions. However, a series of events is placing New Zealand communities at greater risk of wildfire. In a case study of a rural New Zealand community that experienced wildfire, process elements such as networks and relationships among locals, development and application of local knowledge and experience, and access to and application of expert knowledge and institutional capacity helped build adaptive capacity for disasters.