IICCRS PEOPLE
Working to deliver a uniquely Indigenous experienceDrawing on long and enduring Indigenous connections across the globe, the teams working to promote and deliver the summit are dynamic, goal oriented, solutions focussed and can do people. Meet our teams below.
CHAMPIONS
Our champions hold the mauri or life essence of IICCRS ensuring the summit and relationships are well navigated and that the goals of IICCRS are successfully achieved.
Mike Smith
Ngāpuhi, Ngāti Kahu
Senior Climate Campaigner for Greenpeace Aotearoa, Mike has led Māori engagement of the national and global campaign to halt fossil fuel expansion. This has resulted in widespread opposition to deep sea oil drilling and increasing support for the development of alternative energy. Mike’s commitment to combating climate change began in 1992 when he represented Māori at the inaugural World Earth Summit in Rio de Janiero, Brazil. Amongst many other actions, Mike produced and directed the celebrated documentary “He Ao Wera: Climate Change in Aotearoa”, and has produced digital sea level rise modelling to assist Māori communities in assessing risk. He is currently a member of the Iwi Chairs Forum Climate Working Group responsible for Climate Change policy.
Prof Linda Waimarie Nikora
Te Aitanga a Hauiti, Tūhoe, Rongowhakaata
Linda Waimarie Nikora is co-director of Ngā Pae o te Māramatanga and a Professor of Indigenous Studies at Te Wānanga o Waipapa, the University of Auckland. She was previously Professor of Psychology and Director of the Maori & Psychology Research Unit at the University of Waikato. Her specialities are in in community psychology, applied social psychology, ethnopsychology and Maori development.
Professor Yvonne Underhill-Sem
Cook Island, Niue, Pākeha
I am a Pacific feminist development geographer of Cook Island, Niuean and Pakeha descent. My current research concerns climate (im)mobilities in the Pacific. More…
Professor Kyle Powys Whyte
Citizen Potawatomi Nation
My research addresses environmental justice, focusing on moral and political issues concerning climate policy and Indigenous peoples, the ethics of cooperative relationships between Indigenous peoples and science organizations, and problems of Indigenous justice in public and academic discussions of food sovereignty, environmental justice, and the anthropocene. More…
Dr Shaun Awatere (Chair)
Ngāti Porou
My work involves improving the incorporation of Māori values into economic decision-making for collective assets that will enable Māori organisations to make more kaupapa Māori attuned decisions. More…
CORE PLANNING GROUP
Comprised of international and local representatives. this group reaches out across networks, searches for and confirms Indigenous world experts as keynotes, confirms the programme and structure, and sets the breadth, tone and direction for the summit. In so doing, they consider national and international agreements, agendas, plans and pledges, COP27/28, and the political landscapes.
Prof Linda Waimarie Nikora (Chair)
Te Aitanga a Hauiti, Tūhoe, Rongowhakaata
Co-Director, Ngā Pae o te Māramatanga, Waipapa Taumata Rau University of Auckland, Aotearoa
Dr Shaun Awatere
Ngāti Porou
Manaaki Whenua Landcare, Aotearoa
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SCIENCE KNOWLEDGES GROUP
The science knowledges group is responsible for maintaining excellence. They review abstracts and proposal submissions, complete evidence checks and make recommendations to the core planning group as to their inclusion (or not) in the programme.
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IICCRS SECRETARIAT GROUP
Lead by the NPM Pouhere Matua (Operations Manager), this group is responsible for the smooth and efficient delivery of the programme. The secretariat provides coordination and administrative support to the Champions, Core Planning and Science Knowledge groups, and facilitation support to presenters.
Marie-Chanel Berghan (Chair)
Te Rarawa, Ngāti Wai, Ngāti Maniapoto, Te Arawa
Pou Whakahaere Matua (Operations manager) for Ngā Pae o te Māramatanga.
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University of Auckland’s Events Services
The virtual infrastructure (EventsAir) is provided by the University of Auckland’s Events Services who with NPM guidance provide project support and financial management, registration services, marketing and social media, logistics, abstract management, speaker management, audio-visual recording, and delegate services.
MEDIA COMMUNICATIONS
Media communications are provided by Ngā Pae o te Māramamatanga in conjunction with the New Zealand’s Science Media Centre. Our goal is to promote accurate Indigenous centred reporting on the summit and it’s activities.
Cindy McQuade
Ngāti Rangiwewehi, Tūhourangi, Ngāti Wāhiao, Tūwharetoa
Cindy McQuade is the communications advisor for NPM. She has a varied career in the media, working both as a journalist and free-lance writer and as a graphic designer for many years.