Aotearoa
(New Zealand)

Creating Indigenous-led solutions to protect biodiversity in the Pacific Islands

Conservation International-Aotearoa works closely with Indigenous communities, local NGOs, and governments in Aotearoa and across the broader Pacific Islands to deliver impactful, science-based, culturally sensitive conservation solutions.

Our vision is a resilient Aotearoa, where Indigenous-led conservation drives environmental protection, cultural revitalization and sustainable development.

Aotearoa holds significant environmental and political influence across the Pacific region, presenting unique opportunities for regional conservation leadership. From our base in Auckland, we spearhead programs that benefit people throughout the region — including Tokelau, Niue, Cook Islands and the Ross Sea — and further connect to Conservation International’s efforts in Samoa, Fiji, Palau, Timor-Leste and Indonesia.

Our approach blends Māori and Pacific knowledge with cutting-edge science to enable innovative, scalable solutions that benefit nature and people.

Together with our partners, we are supporting Indigenous-led efforts focused on marine protection, sustainable development and regional collaboration.

Highlight project

Indigenous ocean guardianship

The Hinemoana Halo Ocean Initiative is a joint effort between Māori tribes and Conservation International-Aotearoa to protect and restore ocean habitats and biodiversity while improving climate resilience.

Named after Hinemoana, the Māori goddess of the ocean, Hinemoana Halo promotes the self-determination of Indigenous Peoples and local communities to protect, manage, monitor and restore their coastlines and waters.

As part of Hinemoana Halo, Māori and Pacific leaders united with Conservation International to create a 2.2 million-square-kilometer marine protected area that extends from Aotearoa to the Pacific Islands — the world's largest Indigenous-led marine protected area.

Where we work in Aotearoa

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