“Co-Aotearoa is a Te Tiriti-led, non-partisan charity dedicated to fostering regenerative climate action.”
Do you remember the Auckland Climate Festival? Over their tenure from 2021 to 2023, they brought together 285 organisations and delivered more than 400 events to people eager to learn and collaborate. As a result of the collective action and momentum identified, the Auckland Climate Festival made the decision of formally opening Co-Aotearoa in 2024 to upkeep the propulsion needed to ensure of a thriving taiao. The Clare Foundation is extremely proud to be a supporter of Co-Aotearoa’s vision of a better world.
Photo credit: Benjamin Brooking and Wesley Chang / Popular (2026)
In a world where climate degradation is being fast-tracked, pollution becomes increasingly prevalent, and weather patterns are more unpredictable and unsafe as months go on – there remains a need to ignite collective action towards a safe and healthy environment for generations to come. Instead of simply aiming for a single solution, collaborative processes such as Future Search note the increasing need to come together and encourage the different ways communities ought to be fostering safe, diverse spaces to enhance a collective approach to solving complex problems.
In May 2026, Co-Aotearoa hosted a three-day Future Search wānanga in Tāmaki Makaurau, held at Te Mahurehure Cultural Marae, in collaboration with the Centre for Social Impact who led the Future Search process.
This hui brought together 90 people across different communities, allowing a space to investigate the collective responsibility towards a future where the environment is thriving and flourishing for generations to come. Attendees reflected on necessary topics such as Te Tiriti o Waitangi, Pasifika climate action, regenerative economies, storytelling and everything necessary for seeing a better future.
Future Search brings together groups who have a collective interest, enabling the diversity within communities to see past one another’s differences. This encourages people to still take collective action through strengthened relationships and a better understanding of one another. From this, “participants spoke to the value of staying in the room across difference, recognising shared interdependence and moving beyond fragmentation toward stronger connection and collective responsibility”.
Following the wānanga, Clare looks forward to seeing all the new conversations and relationships which occur – strengthening leadership and action for a thriving Papatūānuku.
https://www.co-aotearoa.org/about
https://www.aucklandclimatefestival.co.nz/updates/our-2024-plans-introducing-co-aotearoa