5 December 2019

The Te Arawa climate change adaption strategy is being reviewed for inclusion in the United Nations Handbook on Disaster Risk Reduction 2019.

This achievement began with a Scion/Te Arawa Lakes Trust partnership that employed a local Maori community researcher to develop and strengthen relationships, learn about climate change, and develop a profile for the project.

Guided by Vision Matauranga Capability Fund objectives, our community researcher has strengthened relationships and developed a presence for Te Arawa as an iwi in regional and national forums. Requests were received to join national and regional climate change projects and committees, and the Minister for Climate Change James Shaw met with Te Arawa to consult over climate change. Our community researcher also contributed to The Deep South Forum 2019.

Two Scion/Te Arawa community forums were held to facilitate the co-development of climate change research that meets the aspirations of Te Arawa community. These forums resulted in nine identifiable areas of science with the potential to be further developed.

From this work, Scion and the community have the chance to develop an integrated Endeavour research programme. Together we have developed international relations with Pasifika emergency management researchers and Northern Arizona First Nations climate change adaption group, and we are currently in conversation with First Nations groups regarding potential future projects.