Kahurangi (Ngāti Maniapoto, Tainui) was raised in a small farming community in the Waikato. She grew up with a deep connection to Ranginui and Papatūānuku, knowing that everything is connected. This connection to nature has guided her life. 

Kahurangi’s whānau instilled in her a strong sense of public service which has shaped her career in education at Kohanga Reo, as National Manager of Para Kore advocating and educating for a world without waste from a Māori worldview and at the Ministry for the Environment.  Kahurangi has experience in successful environmental partnerships bringing community, government and business together to fast-track climate action.

Kahurangi is a champion for waste minimisation and caring for marginalised communities and knows we need to change systems so the health of our people and papa are at the forefront.

Kahurangi has volunteered for the Haemophilia Foundation of NZ supporting people and families living with bleeding disorders. She is also a fierce advocate for the arts.

Kahurangi was drawn to the Green party because of their unwavering dedication to evidence based  climate justice and social justice and is ready to do the mahi to ensure that all New Zealanders are able to access Aotearoa’s natural taonga, and grow an appreciation of the natural world. 

“I want my children’s children and every generation after to swim in our rivers, collect kai from our moana and breathe fresh air from the top of our maunga.”