Planet B: Tina Ngata on Decolonising Oceans

Māori activist Tina Ngata explains why the fight against climate breakdown must involve a radical rethink of our relationship with the ocean in this extended interview from Planet B: Water.

More than a commodity or an infinite resource, water is part of our genealogy, argues Ngata, who works as an advocate for environmental, Indigenous and human rights in Te Ika A Maui, known by its colonisers as the North Island of New Zealand.

Explaining what it means to be an ‘ocean person’, Ngata argues that we cannot protect oceans and the vast biodiversity that relies on them without challenging the colonial mindset that treats bodies of water as borders and boundaries.

An extract from this interview appears in Planet B: Water, the fourth episode of a podcast series made in partnership with Rosa-Luxemburg-Stiftung London.

Produced by Freddie Stuart.
Music and sound by Ben Heyderman.
Illustrations by Tomekah George.
Design by Pietro Garrone.

Build
 people-
  powered
   media.

Build people-powered media.

We’re up against huge power and influence. Our supporters keep us entirely free to access. We don’t have any ad partnerships or sponsored content.

Donate one hour’s wage per month—or whatever you can afford—today.

We’re up against huge power and influence. Our supporters keep us entirely free to access. We don’t have any ad partnerships or sponsored content.

Donate one hour’s wage per month—or whatever you can afford—today.