“Nature is sovereign, and as such, Nature has rights. Including the right not just to exist, but to thrive. Humans should coexist with Nature. Because we are part of Nature.” — Catherine Murupaenga-Ikenn, Indigenous human rights activist, Māori, New Zealand

Hello my name is Catherine Murupaenga-Ikenn, and I come from the Ngāti Kurī and Te Rarawa peoples of Aotearoa. Also known by its coloniser name, New Zealand. We are the traditional caretakers of our ancestral lands, territories, and resources, and this is a responsibility handed down by our ancestors. Nature is sovereign, and as such, Nature has rights, including the right not just to exist, but to thrive. Humans should coexist with Nature, because we are a part of Nature. We're not separate or superior to Nature. We should not seek to dominate it, but respect Nature for the life-giving support that she provides to us every moment of every day. Kia ora (Thank you).