Jessica
Hiscox

Ko Maungakiekie te maunga
Ko Manawatū te awa
I tipu ake ahau i Papaioea
E noho ana ahau kei Tāmaki
Ko Jess Hiscox tōku ingoa

Originally from Palmerston North, New Zealand I had a passion for nature and the environment that led me to study ecology and spend my holidays volunteering at conservation projects. My passion deepened as my awareness raised and I expanded my study and work into sustainability – both corporate and social. I have spent several years working in an academic setting and have spent the last three years being privileged to work for an iwi. In this role I provide technical and strategic advice on sustainability, and work with indigenous leaders and communities to advance their cultural, social, and environmental aspirations.

PROJECT

I am currently advising on an iwi-led climate change policy. My climate change project that I hope to progress with the support of the mentoring programme is to help the iwi I work for to the best of my abilities. My project is to guide them, ask questions, and help them to understand what climate change and climate justice mean to whanau. I will be helping them to identify the scope, and the challenges and opportunities presented by climate change. This iwi-led climate policy focuses on climate justice and equality and acknowledge the inextricable link between climate change and wellbeing. Indigenous Peoples must be part of the solution to climate change, this project will help will support and guide what climate justice looks like in Tāmaki Makaurau.

MOTIVATION FOR AND COMMITMENT TO CREATING A BETTER AND MORE SUSTAINABLE PLANET

To me sustainability recognises that humans and nature cannot be separated, we are inextricably linked. It is this interconnectedness that both fascinates and drives me to support more holistic actions. I want to support people to live aligned with nature, not in opposition.