About a year ago, Kokiri was approached by people from a local community who were concerned about planned seismic survey activities and mining that threatened an area of rainforest deeply connected to their homes, livelihoods, culture and the land they have cared for over generations.
We listened.
We looked into their concerns and formally raised them with the company involved, asking that the people living there and their relationship with the land be taken seriously.
Not long afterwards, the company left the area.
We would never claim that our intervention alone caused that outcome. The real credit belongs to the people from that community who stood up for their land, brought their concerns forward, and continued to advocate for themselves.
If Kokiri was able to create even a small additional push in support of their efforts, we are grateful that we could.
Not coming into communities with answers.
Not speaking on behalf of people who can speak for themselves.
But listening. Supporting. Connecting. And, when appropriate, using whatever position and resources we have to help amplify concerns that deserve to be heard.
As Kokiri begins to awaken again, this is something we want to continue doing.
If you come across situations where communities, their traditional ways of life, or the environments they depend upon may be at risk, we welcome you to get in touch with Kokiri. We will listen, learn about the situation, and consider how we might be able to support.
We cannot promise that we can solve every problem.
But we can listen.
And sometimes, a little push in the right direction matters.
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