Creating a resilient New Zealand : [book] Can public education and community development campaigns create prepared communities? / Kristen Finnis.

Contents : Introduction -- Chapter 1. Predictors of preparedness -- Chapter 2. Communication type and content -- Chapter 3. Case studies -- Chapter 4. Summary and recommendations -- References -- Appendices.

The overall aim of this paper is to investigate ways to make New Zealand communities more resilient to hazard events. Resiliency, in this case, is the ability of people and communities to return to prior levels of functioning following an event. Therefore, to begin the recovery process after a disaster or extreme hazard event, individuals and communities must have the resources to look after themselves before help can arrive. Preparedness is the key to resiliency. However, New Zelanders at present are somewhat disinclined to prepare for Civil Defence emergencies despite their general knowledge (awareness) to the hazards and risk, and potential disruption to everyday life. This awareness needs to be turned into action. To develop the best possible approach to achieve this, understanding of the psychology of preparedness must be ascertained and the range of preparedness motivation strategies examined.