Te Pūaha Talks is a series of free online webinars for community organisations and the not-for-profit sector, with support from Foundation North. Your Sphere of Influence is a webinar in association with the Auckland Climate Festival.

Charities, funders, and businesses have the reach to catalyse positive action to respond to the climate emergency, but action starts by looking within. In this interactive workshop you will gain clarity on your sphere of influence within your organisation and explore how to build capability for next steps. The workshop will explore ‘looking back to look forward’, and outline how honouring Te Tiriti o Waitangi and mātauranga Māori can support building a strong foundation for climate action in Aotearoa.

Speakers:

Arohanui West and Esther Whitehead are co-leads for Climate Action Aotearoa, supporting the implementation of The Funders Commitment on Climate Action. This initiative is funded by Combined Community Trusts Aotearoa and supported by the Centre for Social Impact.

Arohanui has a background in waste minimisation, wetland restoration, journalism and communications. Her formal involvement in climate issues began with a role as an environmental intern with Te Arawa Lakes Trust. Current roles include consulting to Para Kore, a Māori, not-for-profit, zero waste organisation with a vision of oranga taiao, oranga whānau, oranga marae.

Tribal affiliations: Te Arawa whānui, Ngāti Awa and Ngāti Tūwharetoa

Esther brings extensive experience working in the not-for-profit sector, the Centre’s climate change kaupapa. I don’t understand this – do we need it? A passionate advocate for the natural environment, Esther has a BSc in Ecology. She is a founder of Sustainable Queenstown Community Trust, and a councillor at Queenstown Lakes District Council. Other significant roles include educator, author, change facilitator. Her work as a researcher on social impact, includes the Ākina Foundation's Impact Initiative on Transforming our Economy.