IUCN Oceania welcomes new Indigenous Peoples’ Organisation Members from Australia and New Zealand
IUCN, through the Oceania Regional Office, is pleased to welcome Te Tira Whakamātaki from Aotearoa New Zealand and the National Native Title Council (NNTC) from Australia as new Members of the Union, marking an important step in strengthening Indigenous Peoples’ representation, knowledge and leadership within IUCN across the Oceania region.
Both organisations were admitted as IUCN Members in July 2026 under the Indigenous Peoples’ Organisation (IPO) membership category. Te Tira Whakamātaki becomes the first Indigenous Peoples’ Organisation from Aotearoa New Zealand to join IUCN within the Oceania region, while the National Native Title Council becomes the second IPO from Australia to become a Member of the Union.
Their membership strengthens the diversity of IUCN’s regional network and reinforces the important role of Indigenous Peoples, their knowledge systems and their longstanding relationships with land, waters and nature in shaping effective and equitable conservation across Oceania.
Te Tira Whakamātaki – Aotearoa New Zealand
Known as “The Watchful Ones,” Te Tira Whakamātaki is a Māori environmental not-for-profit working at the intersection of science, stories and sovereignty. The organisation is dedicated to protecting whenua (land), wai (waters), taonga species, seeds, stories and people, while helping restore balance to te taiao (the natural environment).
Rooted in mātauranga Māori (Māori knowledge) and strengthened by community, Te Tira Whakamātaki brings together kaitiaki (guardians), researchers, educators, responders, storytellers and strategists. Its work places Indigenous leadership and knowledge at the heart of environmental action and recognises the importance of whakapapa, cultural identity and intergenerational responsibility in caring for nature.
Its membership brings an important Māori perspective to IUCN’s network in Oceania and creates further opportunities for collaboration and knowledge exchange, while strengthening the recognition of Indigenous knowledge and leadership in biodiversity conservation and environmental stewardship.
National Native Title Council – Australia
The National Native Title Council is the peak body representing the native title sector and Traditional Owners across Australia. It advocates for the rights and interests of Traditional Owners and supports greater recognition of their enduring connections to Country, land, waters and cultural heritage.
Through its work, NNTC contributes to advancing Indigenous leadership, environmental stewardship, cultural heritage protection and sustainable development. Its membership provides another important platform for Traditional Owner perspectives and experiences to contribute to IUCN’s regional and global conservation network.
IUCN Oceania, together with the IUCN Australian Committee (ACIUCN), looks forward to working alongside NNTC to strengthen collaboration on Indigenous-led conservation, biodiversity, cultural heritage and sustainable development in Australia and across the wider Oceania region.
Strengthening Indigenous leadership across the Union
The addition of Te Tira Whakamātaki and the National Native Title Council further strengthens the representation of Indigenous Peoples within IUCN and recognises the central role Indigenous communities continue to play as custodians and stewards of lands, waters, biodiversity and cultural heritage.
Across Oceania, Indigenous Peoples have maintained deep relationships with their natural environments over generations. Their knowledge, governance systems, cultural practices and stewardship remain integral to efforts to conserve biodiversity, restore ecosystems and build resilient communities.
The membership of both organisations also creates new opportunities to connect Indigenous-led conservation experiences from Australia and Aotearoa New Zealand with IUCN Members, Commissions and partners throughout Oceania and globally.
IUCN Oceania warmly welcomes Te Tira Whakamātaki and the National Native Title Council to the Union and looks forward to strengthening partnerships that place Indigenous knowledge, rights, leadership and stewardship at the heart of conservation action.
Their admission represents not only an expansion of the IUCN membership network in Oceania, but also an opportunity to deepen collaboration and ensure that Indigenous voices, perspectives and knowledge continue to help shape conservation approaches for people and nature across the region.
