November 03, 2021
Kiro unleashed on climate change
New Governor General Dame Cindy Kiro says the Queen’s appearance at the first day of COP 26 at Glasgow gives her permission to talk about climate change.
Dame Cindy says once she gets the ceremonial and legislative part of the job out of the way, the rest of her day can be spent on priority areas like highlighting the work done by the unsung heroes in communities, iwi and hapū on issues like health and oranga, kaitiakitanga and the environment, and manaakitanga or providing care.
She particularly wants to engage with young people who have a vision for their future.
She was impressed with the speeches by India Logan-Riley and Brianna Fruean to the United Nations climate conference on behalf of Māori and Pasifika youth.
“I really look forward to the chance to meet with them and to try to see if there is any way at all to assist them and work with also those communities who are having to struggle through dealing with the transition, I’m mindful of rural communities who feel perhaps they are left out. How do we bring everyone into this joint effort,” Dame Cindy says.