Maori Protect Aotearoa and the World By Sharing Knowledge

·         Modern-day environmentalist and recent Tauira Kaitiaki Taiao graduate, TK Hawaikirangi, presents the Nga Whenua Rahui fund to the world
·         Indigenous rangers from around the world gather to share knowledge on land care
Budding young Maori conservationists and seasoned custodians of the land are joining forces to share knowledge and learn from other indigenous groups at the inaugural World Indigenous Network Conference this week.

Maori leaders are joining indigenous leaders from as far afield as Sweden, Brazil and Canada at the conference in Darwin. Participants in the six-day conference are attending workshops and presentations promoting collaboration between indigenous and local community land and sea managers across the world.

TK Hawaikirangi, a graduate of the Department of Conservation’s Tauira Kaitiaki Taiao (guardian of the environment student) Maori Conservation Cadetship is taking part in the conference.

TK is part of the team sharing the story of the Nga Whenua Rahui fund, a contestable Ministerial fund established in 1991 to protect indigenous ecosystems on Maori land.

“Maori are recognised world-wide as pioneers when it comes to environmental issues and WIN allows us to learn more from other great initiatives around the globe. The whole conference is about giving and taking knowledge and I know I’ll come back to work with plenty of ideas about how we can improve,” says TK.

Prior to the conference TK has been in Australia retracing the steps of descendants of the Aboriginal people from Yalata to Ooldea in South Australia, an important meeting place for local Aborigines for many centuries, and he will share his experience with other attendees.

The aim of the World Indigenous Network is to encourage better conservation of biological diversity and sustainable use of natural resources, improved social cohesion and increased economic opportunities to alleviate poverty.

The World Indigenous Network was launched at United Nations Conference on Sustainability (Rio+20) in Brazil, in June 2012, by the Prime Minister of Australia, Julia Gillard, with the support of the New Zealand Government.

At the time Julia Gillard said, “Today we acknowledge the immensely important work of indigenous peoples and local communities as custodians with knowledge and expertise linking ancient traditions to modern practices as guardians of the natural environment all over the world. A custodianship, a connection and guardianship – each of these are important and intense because there’s so many indigenous people and local communities, the health the local eco-systems is vital to their economic livelihoods and social wellbeing.”

The conference will also include speeches and presentations from other New Zealanders, such as:
·         Sir Mark Solomon, keynote speaker, will present his perspective as chair of the Te Runanga o Ngai Tahu tribal council
·         Dr Huhana Smith about enhancing coastal ecosystems for Maori
·         Mr Denis Peters and Mr Whakarae Henare about working with Maori building capability and capacity for conservation on privately owned Maori land
For further information about the World Indigenous Network conference or images, videos and interviews contact:

About the World Indigenous Network Conference:

The event is being held in Darwin, Australia, on the lands of the Larrakia Nation, traditional owners for thousands of years. WIN Conference and started on Sunday 26 May and will ran until Friday 31 May 2013.

The World Indigenous Network (WIN) will increase the profile of Indigenous Peoples and Local Communities land and sea managers around the world. The WIN aims to create a global community of Indigenous Peoples and Local Communities land and sea managers that will share ideas knowledge and management practices developed over thousands of years to sustainably manage the environment.

For more information visit www.worldindigenousnetwork.net/ or www.facebook.com/WorldIndigenousNetwork

ENDS

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