Sam Rowland, Nature Systems Change Programme Manager, curated an event that focused on action and collaboration. It united the dedicated individuals working relentlessly to protect our natural world.
“It showcased hope,” she said. “It showcased leadership. It didn’t matter if you were a business, landowner, NGO, or tangata whenua. We came together to show that if you put nature at the heart of your actions, we all benefit. We didn’t get stuck in strategy and frameworks. We got stuck into examples of practical action.”
One of the event’s most powerful aspects was the presence of mana whenua. Tama Morehu of Ngāti Whātua Ōrākei opened the day with a moving mihi whakatau. Later, Etienne Neho and Levi Watene and Wendy Watts of Ngāti Whātua Ōrākei spoke about the transformative role of collaborative action.
Krissy Bishop from one of our partner community groups, Te Pu-a-Nga Maara, also attended. Te Pu-a-nga Maara is a rangatahi led, taiao (environmental) innovation organisation. Their approach to nature regeneration draws on kōrero tuku iho, ancestral knowledge, to reconnect communities to the taiao, creating a movement of regeneration within their local area.
“The biggest reflection for me is that we are on the right track,” she said. “Collaboration is key and taiao-centric mahi is key to ensuring what we do is pono. The most reflective speakers, I found, were Ngāti Whātua Ōrākei. I found so many alignments between what we aspire to do and what they are doing.”
Keynote speaker Te Horipo Karaitiana captured the need for integrating indigenous knowledge and values into business actions.
“This alliance of the willing is just going to get bigger, it’s taking over,” he said.”If you don’t do something different now you’re gone-burger in the world that’s coming.”
Importantly, attendees also had the opportunity to take part in field trips the day before the symposium, so this wasn’t just an indoor experience. These were held at The Forest Bridge Trust and Ngāti Whātua Ōrākei’s Pourewa Reserve. These hands-on experiences aligned with the themes discussed throughout the event. They particularly resonated with the partnerships and investment workshop.
Supporting on-the-ground nature projects provides multiple benefits for businesses, as they look to bring nature into their sustainability strategy. Partnerships allow for deeper engagement, opportunities for staff volunteering and may even help a business reach their climate and community goals.
Steph Vercoe, SBN’s Impact and Investment Lead, also summed up the day.
“It felt very hopeful to be in a room full of industry leaders, innovators, thinkers and doers, to share knowledge, learnings, indigenous wisdom and business practices that are aimed at preserving, protecting, and enhancing nature.
“I’m totally motivated to keep connecting and bringing these passionate people together. To keep supporting organisations to integrate nature into their business strategy. And to increase funding for nature regeneration on the ground.”
Manaaki whenua, manaaki tangata, Haere whakamua
Care for the land, care for the people, go forward.
The health of our landscapes, waterways and seas has declined dramatically in recent decades.
We need to significantly scale up the investment in on-the-ground nature projects if we are to reverse this trend, and business can play a transformative role. SBN has more than 10 years experience matching businesses with trustworthy nature projects, connecting them to community, iwi, hapū and landowners.
To learn more or contribute, visit SBN’s Invest in nature projects page.