8 October 2018

Te Arawa Climate Change Working Group, Te Urunga o Kea, will meet with Climate Change Minister Hon James Shaw in Rotorua this week.

The meeting is an opportunity to cover Te Arawa’s approach to addressing climate change, Te Arawa views on the establishment and role of the proposed Climate Change Commission, and how best to support Government priorities in this area.

“Te Urunga o Kea was established in January to ensure tangata whenua are leading climate change discussions and responses at a local level,” says Te Arawa Lakes Trust Chief Executive, Karen Vercoe.

The working group has four focus areas:

• Preparedness;

• Education;

• Research; and

• Leadership

Key themes of their work so far have included seeking to better understand the impact of effects of sea level rise for our community at Little Waihi and Maketū, working to secure support for hapū and iwi to better protect cultural sites of significance, a strong interest in food security, and ensuring whānau have what they need in the fall out from natural hazards and emergencies as a result of severe weather events occurring due to a changing climate.

The Minister will also receive an update from the Group on their joint research project with Scion around understanding the Climate Change issues faced by hapū and iwi, funded by the Vision Matauranga Fund.

“We are looking forward to engaging with the Minister about his vision for tackling climate change and how Te Arawa can execute that vision at a tribal and hapu level,” Ms Vercoe says.

The formal hui will be followed by a visit to the lakefront at Te Papaiouru Marae, Ohinemutu, in advance of the visit by Their Royal Highnesses the Duke and Duchess of Sussex at the end of the month.

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