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.

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.

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.

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.

Dr Mawera Karetai (Kai Tahu, Kati Mamoe, Waitaha) is a social scientist, researching and teaching in climate change, indigenous research methodology, and ethics. Mawera is research lead for the Te Ao Hurihuri: Te Ao Hou project, focussing on climate anxiety in coastal Aotearoa. Awhina Ngātuere (Ngāi Te Rangi, Ngāti Ranginui, Te Whānau a Apanui, Ngāti Rangiwewehi). Awhina is a māmā, strategist, and CE of Toi Kai Rawa. A product of Kōhanga Reo and Kura Kaupapa and active kaitiaki for her whenua at MountMaunganui. Her doctoral research will explore ancestral knowledge and its role in shaping a flourishing future for her tribal community. Tūmanako McLeod (Tauranga Moana whānui) introduces an Indigenous adaptation pathway of Mātauranga Mokopuna exploring the impacts of climate change on coastal communities, specifically Maungatapu Mārae. Investigating how accumulative Mātauranga Mokopuna help communities adapt to and mitigate the effects of climate change on their lands and way of life.

Hari Krishna Nibanupudi is an expert in climate change, humanitarian response, and sustainability with over 20 years’ experience at UNDP, WFP, UN-Habitat, ICIMOD, Oxfam, and HelpAge International. He is an award-winning mentor for sustainable development innovators, an IUCN Climate Crisis Commission member.

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.

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.

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.