Indigenous Innovation and Leadership - Intergenerational and Holistic Action
Tracks
Indigenous Innovation and Leadership
Monday, October 13, 2025 |
4:00 PM - 5:45 PM |
Waitaki Room (hybrid) |
Speaker
Mr Philippe Leblanc-Rochette
Environmental Coordinator
Makivvik
The Nunavik Climate Change Adaptation Strategy: An Inuit-led initiative for strengthening climate resilience in Nunavik (northern Quebec, Canada)
4:15 PM - 4:30 PMBiography
In 2023, Philippe joined Makivvik, the organization mandated to protect the rights of the Inuit of Nunavik (northern Quebec, Canada). He has led the development and is now overseeing the implementation of the Nunavik Climate Change Adaptation Strategy, working closely with Nunavik communities and organizations to address climate challenges.
Mr Carl Crofts
Projects Manager
Te Rūnanga o Koukourarata
Learning from our tupuna, preparing for our tamariki: collaboration on climate adaptation planning in Ōtautahi, Christchurch
4:30 PM - 5:15 PMBiography
Carl is the Project Manager for Te Rūnanga o Koukourarata responsible for developing the Runanga’s climate change adaptation plan. Carl’s background is in health, safety and emergency response having served in various roles over a thirty-year career with the New Zealand Army.
Mr Manaia Cunningham
Member
Te Rūnanga o Koukourarata
Learning from our tupuna, preparing for our tamariki: collaboration on climate adaptation planning in Ōtautahi, Christchurch
4:30 PM - 5:15 PMBiography
Manaia Cunningham is currently the General Manager for an Environmental Entity owned by six Paptipu Rūnanga (marae) in the Christchurch Banks Peninsula area. Manaia has an educational background and has been contracting in Government services primarily supporting Tiriti-based relationships across health, local government and the environment for many years.
Ms Jane Morgan
Team Leader, Coastal Adaptation
Christchurch City Council
Learning from our tupuna, preparing for our tamariki: collaboration on climate adaptation planning in Ōtautahi, Christchurch
4:30 PM - 5:15 PMBiography
Jane is Team Leader, Climate Adaptation at Christchurch City Council and is responsible for coastal hazards adaptation planning with communities and rūnanga, as well as the provision of advice to Council and communities about wider climate risks. Jane’s background includes monitoring and advising on social recovery at the Canterbury Earthquake Recovery Authority. Jane is interested in equity issues and ensuring community input guides complex decision-making, with a particular emphasis on the views of children and young people.
Mr Tom Simons-Smith
Principal Advisor - Coastal Adaptation
Christchurch City Council
Learning from our tupuna, preparing for our tamariki: collaboration on climate adaptation planning in Ōtautahi, Christchurch
4:30 PM - 5:15 PMBiography
Tom is the technical lead on Christchurch City Council’s Coastal Hazards Adaptation Planning Programme. Tom’s work involves communicating coastal hazard risks, understanding community perspectives, values and ideas and evaluating the ways forward. Tom has a background in coastal geomorphology and is particularly passionate about nature-based solutions and working with local communities.
Ms Bernadette Muir
Principal Academic Staff Member - Architecture
Ara Institute of Canterbury
Integrating mātauranga māori into climate adaptation education: A collaborative case study with ngāti wheke
5:15 PM - 5:30 PMBiography
Bernadette Muir is the Principal Academic Staff Member Architecture at Ara Institute of Canterbury. With a background as a Registered Architect and Senior Associate at Jasmax and Warren & Mahoney, her research focuses on integrating mātauranga Māori and indigenous knowledge into sustainable design and architectural education in Aotearoa New Zealand.
