A Kiwi indigenous rights and disability advocate has been named in the BBC's 100 Women of 2023 list.
Kera Sherwood-O'Regan (Kāi Tahu), the co-founder of social impact agency Activate Agency, has been recognised for her work on indigenous climate justice and social change, with practices grounded in Māori approaches to land and ancestors in climate conversation.
"Sherwood-O'Regan has built relationships with ministers, officials and broader civil society to highlight the effects of climate change on her communities, while advocating for greater recognition of the rights of indigenous people and people with disabilities in the climate negotiations," the BBC said.
Sherwood-O'Regan told 1News being named in the list brings "mixed emotions".
"I feel very privileged and hopeful that I can use the opportunity to raise the profile on indigenous and disabled-led climate action, and hopefully help elevate the mahi of other activists I've been privileged to work with and learn from," she said.
Sherwood-O'Regan said she wants people to understand that front line communities around the world have expert knowledge and solutions to offer.
"What is needed is not more science or technology, but for Western societies to divest from the magic-bullet thinking that frames systemic change as too complex, too hard to measure, or too difficult to wrap up in fundable projects," she said.
"When we take a more nuanced and relational approach to climate it might feel more complex to start, but we actually see meaningful action become much more attainable,and we put the power back in the hands of affected communities and the wider public."
Alongside Sherwood-O'Regan, the annual compilation includes former US first lady Michelle Obama and award-winning human rights lawyer Amal Clooney.
"Working within the international climate and human rights spaces of course I follow Christiana Figueres, Amal Clooney, and Sônia Guajajara's mahi," she said.
For the first time, the list includes 28 Climate Pioneers to celebrate women leading the charge against climate change, named ahead of the United Nations Climate Change Conference — COP28 — which starts at the end of November in Dubai.
Sherwood-O'Regan said this is a great way for Kiwis to support her and educate themselves, "we have resources on our website and on my social media, including lists of other great activists, educators, and change makers that you can follow and direct actions you can take especially ahead of COP28".
She said she learnt a lot of her climate values from time spent at her marae in Moeraki, and at other hui around Te Waipounamu, the South Island.
"I think it exposed me to our people's rights struggles, cultural values, and to environmental kaupapa by osmosis, and my whānauka and whenua are what still drive me and support me in my mahi now."
Last year's BBC 100 Women list featured singer Billie Eilish and Olena Zelenska, the wife of the Ukrainian president, alongside actresses Priyanka Chopra and Selma Blair.
Additional reporting by Emma Hildesley
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