Listen Now: 
The co-convenor of the New Zealand Climate and Health Council Ora Taiao says a weekend conference showed iwi are awake to the dangers of climate change.
Dr Rhys Jones, a public health specialist, was one of the speakers at the hui called by the Iwi Leaders Forum.
He says iwi see climate change up close in sea level rise, increased coastal erosion and more frequent extreme weather events.
They are looking at how they plan for it and the opportunities it offers.
"It's kind of aligned with this idea of tino rangatiratanga or sovereignty, that if we can get sovereignty over our food supply, energy, transport, those things can all help reduce our emissions but also put us in a better place to deliver for our own people," Dr Jones says.
He is heartened by the new Government's commitment to address climate change, but the response needs to be ramped up fast.
Meanwhile, at least three people were arrested when hundreds of activists attempted to blockade today's Petroleum Conference in Wellington.
Energy Minister Megan Woods addressed the conference, but unlike her predecessors did not use it to announce the latest areas to be opened up for exploration.
She said the Government is still considering the future of block offers and a decision will be made in the coming weeks.
!["p_facebook"]("/site/uma/images/story_img/facebook.jpg")
& !["p_twitter"]("/site/uma/images/story_img/twitter.jpg")
Copyright © 2018, UMA Broadcasting Ltd: www.waateanews.com
RELATED NEWS
