Partnerships
At Rautāpatu, we recognise that meaningful and enduring partnerships are the heartbeat of accelerating transformative change for Te Taiao and appropriate global responses to climate change and polycrises.
The challenges facing our whenua, whānau, and hapū are complex and interconnected—no single entity or approach can address these alone.
True progress requires collaboration grounded in mutual respect,
shared knowledge, and aligned aspirations.
Why Partnerships Matter
Our Te Taiao Strategy embraces partnerships as a critical pathway to scale deep impact. By working hand in hand with local communities, hapū, iwi, regional leaders, national entities, and global allies, we build smart, innovative solutions that honour and uplift indigenous knowledge and regenerative practices.
Together, we merge diverse expertise, resources, and time to co-create resilient outcomes that sustain Te Taiao now and for generations to come.
We are committed to championing partnerships that transcend
transactional relationships.
Our approach is rooted in whakapapa and mahi tahi—working with humility, integrity, and authenticity.
Our partnerships seek to amplify hauora for whānau and whenua, weaving cultural identity and wellbeing into every collaborative effort.
We warmly acknowledge our incredible partners, associates, and allies who walk alongside us on this journey.
Their generous investment of time, expertise, and funding is vital to advancing our shared vision for sustainability and transformative outcomes.
Explore our community of partners and investors who make this work possible here.
We invite all who share our vision of a thriving, resilient Te Taiao to join us. Together, we can foster intergenerational impact through purposeful co-design, co-investment, and co-leadership, generating outcomes that uplift our people, environment, and economy.
Our Commitment
Through our partnership programme, we are committed to activating deeper understanding and relationships
that embody:
Positionality &
Te Tiriti o Waitangi:
Recognising and under-standing our 'positionality' as tangata whenua and tangata Tiriti in decision-making and co-governance, ensuring partnership practices respect tino rangatiratanga and partnership principles as a foundation for shared success.
The Sharing of Intellectual Property & Resources Wisely:
Partnerships open channels for the exchange of ideas and tools, enabling innovation that respects and elevates indigenous values.
Build a Sustainable Business Eco-System:
Rebalancing supply & value chains to support circular economic empowerment in harmony with community aspirations and responsibilities as kaitiaki (environmental stewardship), nurturing enterprises that regenerate the natural environment while uplifting whānau and hapū wellbeing.
The Acceleration of Purposeful Change:
Partnerships help us to leverage collective strengths to overcome challenges swiftly and decisively, particularly in transitioning towards a low-emission circular economy.
Authenticity, Trust and Accountability
Building partnerships on a foundation of transparency, respect, and integrity, fostering enduring relation-ships where all parties can authentically uphold their responsibilities for collective wellbeing.
Honouring Whanaungtanga
Deepening relationships that honour whakapapa, fostering a profound sense of belonging, mutual care, and shared purpose, which strengthens trust and collective commitment to achieving thriving outcomes for Te Taiao and our communities.
Having a Voice at the Table
Working Together for
Climate Justice:
Local and Global Partnerships
Colonial Dimensions of Climate Change and Social Justice
Climate change is deeply intertwined with colonial history and global inequities. The richest countries, primarily in the Global North and former imperial powers, are responsible for about 90% of excess carbon emissions that have driven climate breakdown beyond safe planetary limits. Yet, the devastating impacts—including displacement, economic disruption, and the majority of climate-related deaths—fall overwhelmingly on the Global South and Indigenous peoples, who have the least capacity to adapt due to long-standing economic inequalities rooted in colonial exploitation.
This disparity means climate change is not just an environmental crisis but a profound social justice issue. It represents an ongoing form of atmospheric colonisation whereby wealthy nations consume an unfair share of the Earth’s atmospheric commons, while poorer nations suffer the worst consequences. Any meaningful response to climate change must centre Indigenous and Global South voices, addressing these historical injustices and advocating for equitable climate action that recognises the colonial legacies shaping vulnerability and resilience.
Addressing the colonial dimensions of climate change requires strong partnerships that bridge local Indigenous knowledge and values with global movements for justice and sustainability.
By elevating Indigenous voices and fostering equitable collaborations, we can challenge the historic power imbalances
that drive environmental and social harm.
Locally, this means supporting communities to lead adaptation and resilience efforts grounded in their cultural wisdom and self-determination. Globally, it means uniting with organisations and movements pushing for systemic change—demanding accountability from those responsible for climate harm and advocating for just climate finance and reparations.
Together, we can transform climate response from a narrow environmental issue into a powerful movement for social justice, resilience, and regeneration—honouring Indigenous sovereignty and forging a more equitable future for all.