Co-Aotearoa is a Te Tiriti-led, non-partisan charity dedicated to fostering regenerative climate action.
Rooted in honongā and cross-sector engagement, our intention is for a whole-of-society response that builds unity, hope and long-term positive impact for people and te taiao.
Established in 2024, Co-Aotearoa builds on the Auckland Climate Festival kaupapa which connected 285 organisations and delivered more than 400 events between 2021 and 2023.
The Festival demonstrated the power of collaboration and collective action. Our role as Co-Aotearoa is to sustain that momentum and extend the Festival’s spirit into new, enduring initiatives across Aotearoa.
Our vision.
A future where communities across Aotearoa lead the transition toward a thriving, equitable and climate-resilient society.
Meet the Trustees
At the heart of Co-Aotearoa is a diverse and passionate team of trustees and leaders who weave together governance expertise, lived experience and professional knowledge from across Aotearoa. Guided by our values of kotahitanga, kaitiakitanga, equity and hope, we ground our kaupapa in Te Tiriti o Waitangi, ensuring that many perspectives shape the path toward a more just and regenerative future.
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As an academic, spiritual leader and te reo Māori champion, Rev Dr Hone Te Rire is playing an important role in strengthening culture and resilience within his community. Born in Kawerau in the 1960s, he is the second eldest of nine siblings. His whakapapa is firmly rooted in the whenua and communities of Ngāti Awa and Tūhoe, and he is proud of the strong connections that flow through both his mother and father. “I’m a product of their union, and I am proud of my whakapapa. I also have very strong blood relationships through my father’s mother, which are special to me.”
Rev Dr Te Rire’s early life was shaped not only by his whānau but also by the spiritual leadership of his father, who served as an Amorangi (Spiritual Leader) of Te Aka Puahou, Māori Synod of the Presbyterian Church of Aotearoa New Zealand. Ordained as an Amorangi in 2009, Rev Dr Te Rire has since served his community as a spiritual leader, weaving together scripture and tikanga Māori to guide and support those around him.
At the 2025 graduation ceremony of Te Whare Wānanga o Awanuiārangi, he not only completed his PhD but was also honoured with the Award for Excellence in Te Reo Māori. “Receiving the Excellence in Te Reo Māori award was very special. Te reo Māori is the voice of our tīpuna, and this recognition affirms its value in our lives today.” His academic journey now continues with a prestigious postdoctoral fellowship, building on his doctoral research and extending his contribution to Māori communities. His research focuses on the interrelationship between te reo, cultural identity, and scripture as a foundation for community resilience in the face of environmental risk. A climate Change Natural Hazards Resilience research titled: ‘Whakaora Taiao, Whakaora Whenua – Nurture the environment, you will nurture the land that provides you with sustenance.’
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Agustin grew up in Colombia, where climate change and inequality are part of everyday life, an experience that shaped his belief that climate solutions must work for people as much as the planet. He works as an engineer in New Zealand’s energy transition space, grounding his advocacy in technical solutions and evidence. Alongside this, he brings a youth lens to climate action, with a particular passion for creating spaces where young people feel empowered to lead, from founding and leading sustainability-focused student initiatives to organising youth-led workshops at the YCC Climate Action Conference. He sees his role as a bridge, connecting his technical work with community voice, and youth energy with system-level change.
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Anna Tuson is a communications strategist, narrative architect, and founder of The Story Communications & Creative, a boutique consultancy shaping transformational narratives for systems change. Her work focuses on climate, nature, oceans, and impact investing, with a particular emphasis on Asia-Pacific and global multilateral agendas.
With two decades of experience across sustainable finance, international development, and strategic communications, Anna has partnered with organisations including the World Economic Forum, IFRC, IUCN, and leading foundations and alliances. She specialises in translating complex systems challenges into compelling narratives that mobilise capital, influence policy, and inspire collective action.
She joined Co-Aotearoa to support the role of storytelling in accelerating Aotearoa’s transition — bringing a global perspective on climate and nature narratives, while helping elevate locally grounded voices, values, and solutions that can shape a more regenerative and inclusive future.
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Michelle is an experienced Trustee with a strong background in governance across many local and national boards. Her work reflects a deep commitment to community wellbeing and values-led leadership, shaped by both professional experience and personal connection.
Michelle brings a thoughtful and empathetic approach to governance, with a clear focus on ensuring organisations remain aligned to their kaupapa and deliver meaningful impact. She is dedicated to supporting compassionate, community-centered outcomes and strengthening the systems that enable them.
She joined the Co-Aotearoa Board to contribute her governance expertise to a cause she strongly believes in, supporting work that fosters care, connection, and understanding. Michelle offers a grounded perspective and is committed to enabling strong, sustainable governance that serves communities well.
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Johnnie is of Ngaati Te Ata Waiohua and Ngai Tuuhoe descent and is a wayfinder, systems navigator and whakapapa-centred designer. He brings more than 30 years’ experience serving communities and guiding iwi, Māori community and public-sector organisations towards better outcomes for people, place and nature. Drawing on mātauranga Māori, including maramataka and whakatere waka, he helps whānau, hapū, iwi and organisations navigate complex systems and design pathways towards oranga motuhake. Johnnie helped co-navigate a whakapapa-centred response to climate change through the Tāmaki Makaurau Mana Whenua Forum and the co-development of Te Tāruke-ā-Tāwhiri: Auckland’s Climate Plan, and has worked with Te Waiohua iwi and public-sector partners to lead Te Whakaoranga o te Puhinui. He is an alumnus of Leadership New Zealand and a member of the Āwhitu Recovery Planning and Recovery Committee.
Join the team
Having completed our foundational phase, Co-Aotearoa is now entering the pivotal launch and growth phase. This shift opens space for fresh energy, deeper expertise, and new leadership on our Board of Trustees and team. Contact us to chat about how you might get involved.