Te Tira Whakamātaki is a Māori environmental not-for-profit that is home to the Māori biosecurity network, Ngā Taura ki a Papatūānuku (International Indigenous Youth Network), and Tikanga a Rangahau (Māori Research & Ethics Council). Our name translates to “the watchful ones” in English, as we use our skills and position to seek out, empower, privilege, and protect Indigenous peoples and their solutions in the fight to protect nature. In this, we address one of the most pressing threats to the climate and our ability to thrive in it – the diversity of life on earth (biodiversity).

Based in Aotearoa New Zealand, we are highly active in Māori communities but also have strong connections to other Indigenous communities across the globe. Our projects, programmes, research, and policy work share the collective intentions of healing our relationship with the environment and growing Indigenous solutions for a better planet. We aim to restore balance to our natural world by re-establishing a reciprocal relationship between people and Papatūānuku (Mother Earth), and by embedding our ancestor’s knowledge of the environment, our Indigenous philosophies, and our mātauranga (knowledge) in our work. This means we invest directly in the education, empowerment and revitalisation of Indigenous communities, particularly Māori, and their environmental knowledge.

In Aotearoa, and with te ao Māori at the heart of our work, we aim to ensure Māori communities have access to independent and culturally nuanced scientific advice, perspectives and information, and avenues that promote their voice. We enhance their ability to actively participate in biosecurity, environmental and conservation spaces so that Māori may continue to fulfil their role as kaitiaki, and their right to protect the natural environment. We also build environmental protection capability, safeguard environmental-related mātauranga Māori, and advocate for Indigenous led evidence in the protection of our native species.

Everything we do is designed to contribute to our vision of a world where Indigenous peoples & their solutions are valued in the fight to protect nature