Call for Nominations - Pou Herenga Members
He Pou Herenga members
The impacts of climate change are already being felt across Aotearoa, including by whānau, hapū, and iwi. The choices we make now will shape the wellbeing of current and future generations.
To help He Pou a Rangi Climate - Change Commission ensure te ao Māori and mātauranga Māori inform, shape and guide our work we are seeking nominations for members of the Pou Herenga.
Herenga means to lash or bind together. Pou Herenga is the binding together of individual experts in te ao Māori and Te Tiriti o Waitangi/The Treaty of Waitangi, to form a Pou that supports He Pou a Rangi - Climate Change Commission on its journey as an independent, expert advisor to Government on mitigating climate change and adapting to the effects of climate change.
Mo mātou | About us
The Commission was established by the Climate Change Response (Zero Carbon) Amendment Act 2019 ('the Zero Carbon Act'), which amended the Climate Change Response Act 2002 (CCRA).
The Commission plays a key role in developing and implementing clear and stable climate change policies in Aotearoa New Zealand. We do this by providing independent, expert advice to the Government on both mitigating and adapting to the effects of climate change. We also monitor and review the Government's progress towards its emissions reduction and adaptation goals.
In the past six years we’ve provided advice on emissions budgets, emissions reduction plans, agricultural emissions pricing, NZ Emissions Trading Scheme settings, the 2050 target and whether to include international shipping and aviation emissions. We’ve monitored progress reducing emissions and adapting to the effects of climate change. More details about our work programme can be found here Our upcoming work.
Te Tūranga | The role
Pou Herenga was established in 2023 to provide the Commission with the expertise and support required to give effect to its legislative requirement to have knowledge in Te Tiriti o Waitangi/The Treaty of Waitangi, and te ao Māori (te reo, mātauranga, and the Māori Economy), consistent with section 5H(1)(d)(ii) of the Climate Change Response Act 2002.
Pou members support the Commission's Board and Chief Executive by sharing key insights and perspectives from te ao Māori to help inform the Commission’s work.
Pou Herenga is an independent advisory body and may be required to provide strategic insight/advice on specific issues from the Commission’s broader work programme where there is a direct requirement to have te ao Māori and/or Te Tiriti o Waitangi/The Treaty of Waitangi specific input, or any areas of advice that may have specific effects on Iwi/Māori.
He kōrero mōu | About you
We are seeking people who are motivated to contribute to a better future for Māori in the face of climate change. You may bring
The Pou Herenga skills matrix is attached for your reference of the skillsets we are looking to capture in the membership of this group.
We encourage nominations from across Aotearoa and from a wide range of experiences and perspectives.
If you are interested, we invite you to put forward a nomination. Nominations close at 5pm on Sunday 7 June 2026.
For any queries, please email PouHerengaSupport@climatecommission.govt.nz.
The impacts of climate change are already being felt across Aotearoa, including by whānau, hapū, and iwi. The choices we make now will shape the wellbeing of current and future generations.
To help He Pou a Rangi Climate - Change Commission ensure te ao Māori and mātauranga Māori inform, shape and guide our work we are seeking nominations for members of the Pou Herenga.
Herenga means to lash or bind together. Pou Herenga is the binding together of individual experts in te ao Māori and Te Tiriti o Waitangi/The Treaty of Waitangi, to form a Pou that supports He Pou a Rangi - Climate Change Commission on its journey as an independent, expert advisor to Government on mitigating climate change and adapting to the effects of climate change.
Mo mātou | About us
The Commission was established by the Climate Change Response (Zero Carbon) Amendment Act 2019 ('the Zero Carbon Act'), which amended the Climate Change Response Act 2002 (CCRA).
The Commission plays a key role in developing and implementing clear and stable climate change policies in Aotearoa New Zealand. We do this by providing independent, expert advice to the Government on both mitigating and adapting to the effects of climate change. We also monitor and review the Government's progress towards its emissions reduction and adaptation goals.
In the past six years we’ve provided advice on emissions budgets, emissions reduction plans, agricultural emissions pricing, NZ Emissions Trading Scheme settings, the 2050 target and whether to include international shipping and aviation emissions. We’ve monitored progress reducing emissions and adapting to the effects of climate change. More details about our work programme can be found here Our upcoming work.
Te Tūranga | The role
Pou Herenga was established in 2023 to provide the Commission with the expertise and support required to give effect to its legislative requirement to have knowledge in Te Tiriti o Waitangi/The Treaty of Waitangi, and te ao Māori (te reo, mātauranga, and the Māori Economy), consistent with section 5H(1)(d)(ii) of the Climate Change Response Act 2002.
Pou members support the Commission's Board and Chief Executive by sharing key insights and perspectives from te ao Māori to help inform the Commission’s work.
Pou Herenga is an independent advisory body and may be required to provide strategic insight/advice on specific issues from the Commission’s broader work programme where there is a direct requirement to have te ao Māori and/or Te Tiriti o Waitangi/The Treaty of Waitangi specific input, or any areas of advice that may have specific effects on Iwi/Māori.
He kōrero mōu | About you
We are seeking people who are motivated to contribute to a better future for Māori in the face of climate change. You may bring
- knowledge of Te Ao Māori and/or Te Tiriti o Waitangi
- experience in climate-related kaupapa, including policy, science, communities, or Māori economic development
- strong connections to iwi, hapū, or communities
- the ability to provide independent, strategic insight.
The Pou Herenga skills matrix is attached for your reference of the skillsets we are looking to capture in the membership of this group.
We encourage nominations from across Aotearoa and from a wide range of experiences and perspectives.
If you are interested, we invite you to put forward a nomination. Nominations close at 5pm on Sunday 7 June 2026.
For any queries, please email PouHerengaSupport@climatecommission.govt.nz.