Next week, on 10 November, nine rangatahi Māori from across Aotearoa will depart for Belém, Brazil, to represent their iwi and Aotearoa at the 30th United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP30).

Te Kāhu Pōkere was established under Pou Take Āhuarangi of the National Iwi Chairs Forum and is the first iwi-mandated Māori youth delegation to attend a global COP. The rōpū are self-funded and independent, grounded in iwi support and collective strength.

Ahead of their journey, delegates have met with a range of subject matter experts to inform their approach to COP30. The delegates also met with Hon. Simon Watts, Minister for Climate Change, at Parliament on 16 October to share aspirations and concerns around current climate policy. The kōrero highlighted the need for Māori-led solutions, stronger recognition of Indigenous rights, and genuine partnership in shaping Aotearoa’s response to climate change.

“Our journey is about ensuring Māori and Indigenous leadership is recognised as essential to global climate solutions,” says delegate Kyla Campbell-Kamariera (Te Rarawa). “We’re not just attending COP30 - we’re representing generations of knowledge, resilience, and self-determination.”

At COP30, Te Kāhu Pōkere will join Indigenous and Pacific nations in discussions on adaptation, resilience, and climate justice. Each delegate will contribute to global conversations, share iwi-led case studies, and strengthen Indigenous connections from across Te Moana Nui a Kiwa and beyond.

Their collective position statement calls for justice-centred climate solutions, the restoration of Māori rights under Te Tiriti o Waitangi, and the recognition of te taiao as a living ancestor.

Te Kāhu Pōkere invites media across Aotearoa to help share their journey and amplify Māori youth leadership on the world stage. Interviews can be arranged before departure or throughout the conference period in Belém.

© Scoop Media