UNESCO - Key Persons
Job Titles:
- Analyst
- Special Advisor Youth
Adriana works as an analyst at the Ministry for the Environment within the Māori Policy and Partnering team.
She descends from the tribes of Ngāti Awa, Te Arawa, Tainui, and Ngāti Ranginui; the Clan Taylor of Scotland; and the North-Western shores of India. Born and raised on the shores of Papamoa, Tauranga, her identity is firmly rooted in her connection to her moana.
As part of an indigenous family of lifeguards, Adriana's love for the ocean comes both in the form of spiritual connection and a sense of community. She is a member of Project Blue NZ, a group of around 25 youth with a shared love for the ocean.
Her role at MfE has heightened her realisation as to how vital te ao Māori is for the future of our taiao and its people.
Dr Carol Mutch brings a strong education research perspective that is closely aligned to UNESCO's work in nations experiencing rapid change, conflict and trauma.
Carol has had a long and varied career in education, across a range of institutions and countries encompassing both practitioner and leadership roles in teaching, teacher education, policy advising and academia. Dr Mutch is currently Professor in Critical Studies in Education at the University of Auckland.
Her teaching focuses on educational policy and curriculum, research methods and teacher education and includes masters and doctoral level supervision. Her research and publishing spans two distinct but complementary areas: (a) educational history, policy, pedagogy and curriculum development and (b) education and research in traumatic and sensitive contexts.
She has won numerous awards for her teaching, research, scholarship and service to education.
Dr Dan Hikuroa (Ngāti Maniapoto, Waikato-Tainui, Ngaati Whanaunga, Pākehā) has a PhD in Geology and is currently Senior Lecturer, Te Wānanga o Waipapa, Māori Studies, at the University of Auckland, where he has also lectured in Anthropology, Geology, Sustainability, Environmental Engineering and Business Studies.
Dan's expertise is in the areas of Earth Systems, Mātauranga Māori (Māori knowledge and ways of knowing), climate change, natural hazards and rivers. He has contributed to community and participatory projects that have included: marine spatial planning; environmental management plans; natural resource use and management; natural hazards, disaster risk reduction, resilience; and industrial waste-site rehabilitation.
Dan uses Kaupapa Māori methods in his work with Māori communities to realise dreams and address challenges. He has undertaken many projects including Te Awaroa - Voice of the River, co-writing the 2014 State of the Hauraki Gulf Environment Report, geothermal development feasibilities, planning river and catchment restorations, co-writing iwi environmental management plans, Independent Review Panel member of Sea-Change Tai Timu Tai Pari, hazard and vulnerability assessments and industrial waste-site rehabilitation.
He is the Co-Deputy Director of Public Engagement Te Pūnaha Matatini, Acting-Tumuaki of Ngā Kaihautū Tikanga Taiao, and member of Pūniu River Care Board, Antarctic Steering Group and Watercare EAG.
Job Titles:
- Communications
- Communications Advisor
Gabi Tankersley joined the National Commission as Communications Advisor in 2021.
Gabi has worked in Communications for close to 20 years for a large variety of organisations, within New Zealand and the UK, including the Department of Conservation, Te Uru Rakau (Forestry New Zealand), MBIE, NZ Lotteries Commission, Positively Wellington Tourism, The Open University UK, the BBC, Department of Corrections and NZVASS (an umbrella organisation representing the disability sector).
Gabi began her career as a journalist at the Greymouth Evening Star, after discovering a love for journalism while working at Access Radio and the Radio Network as a student.
She has a BA Hons (Psychology) and holds a Diploma of Journalism and Accreditation in Public Relations (APR).
Job Titles:
- Senior Advisor
- Aotearoa Youth Leader
Kaya currently works as a senior advisor in climate change strategic policy for central government, and has focused her career on combatting climate change, embedding sustainable practices into our communities, and building a society that enables people and nature to thrive.
Kaya has lived around the world and feels a strong connection to many peoples and lands and is dedicated to finding pathways for peace and prosperity for her scattered community. Her desire for unity and cooperation resonates strongly with UNESCO's aims to use education and evidence to enable genuine, long-lasting peace.
Kaya is committed to caring for the planet to ensure a viable and sustainable environment for future generations. She spends every spare moment in nature, sailing, kayaking and mountain climbing.
Job Titles:
- Natural Sciences Commissioner
- Natural Sciences Commissioner / Emeritus Professor Tagaloatele Peggy Fairbairn - Dunlop
Linda is of Ngāti Rangi and Whanganui descent and brings a policy, research, governance, relationship and environmental management background to the role of National Commissioner.
Linda is currently Manahautū / Deputy Director for the Sustainable Seas National Science Challenge as well as the Director of Tūtaiao Ltd., a private consultancy focusing on people, policy and planning. She is also a member of the Governance Group of the Biological Heritage National Science Challenge, and has long been an advocate for creating space and maximising the distinctive and innovative opportunities and benefits possible through empowering mātauranga Māori to work alongside contemporary science.
Linda has also previously held senior executive roles in the national environmental management sector including as General Manager Māori at the Environmental Protection Authority. Linda has also worked for her own and other iwi as well as chairing and serving on several MBIE research investment and review panels. She also worked for Te Papa Tongarewa supporting the development of policy and process that ensured implementation of effective bicultural partnership.
Job Titles:
- Chairman
- New Zealand Commission for UNESCO As Chair
Liz Longworth joined the New Zealand Commission for UNESCO as Chair in 2023. She oversees the Commission's strategy and work programme in collaboration with the Secretariat, five Commissioners and a group of young leaders.
Liz has spent a significant part of her working life overseas and has held various roles within the United Nations and UNESCO. Prior to returning to Aotearoa New Zealand, Liz was the Director of the UN Office for Disaster Risk Reduction in Geneva where she led global coordination programmes on building resilience and preventing disaster loss.
Prior to that she was the Director of the Information Society Division in the Communication and Information Sector, the Deputy Assistant Director General of the Social Sciences Sector, and the Executive Director (DIR/ODG) of UNESCO in Paris.
Before her international roles she led development strategies in Aotearoa New Zealand as Sector Director for ICT at Industry New Zealand. A lawyer with over 20 years' experience, Liz built an international practice as an expert on information policies, the law and ethics of new technologies and is an author on access to information (FOI), privacy and cyberspace law. Liz is qualified in mediation and alternative dispute resolution design.
Liz served two terms on the board of directors of the NZ Financial Markets Authority (FMA) and was the former Chair of the FMA's Audit and Risk Committee.
Job Titles:
- Business Advisor
- NZ National Commission for UNESCO As Business Advisor
Roslyn joined the NZ National Commission for UNESCO as Business Advisor in mid-2023.
Roslyn has a wealth of experience and knowledge in the Education Sector having worked both locally and internationally in schools and universities.
She has a passion for gardening, environmental sustainability and hands on learning.
She is actively involved in building and maintaining gardens and replenishing native trees at her local kura.
She holds degrees in both Language and Science.
Silke has a background in museums and heritage conservation. From 2004 she led a team of museums educators at the multimedia history exhibition The Story of Berlin before moving to New Zealand in 2007.
For almost a decade she worked in management roles with Heritage New Zealand Pouhere Taonga caring for historic places. For 7 years she was the manager of national heritage icon Old St Paul's, a Category 1 historic place. While working at Heritage New Zealand Pouhere Taonga she led significant interpretation and conservation projects. She also implemented new education and event opportunities for heritage buildings connecting with stakeholders in the tourism, museums, events and education sector.
Silke has a Masters in Museums & Media Studies, Linguistics and English Philology from the Free University of Berlin.
In her first year with the NZ National Commission Silke was involved in the planning and delivery of the Youth Diversity Forum in 2019 hosted by the NZ National Commission for UNESCO in response to the Christchurch Mosque Attacks.
For the past two years Silke has been working on the New Zealand contribution to the UN Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development (2021-2030) and most recently on the implementation of the UNESCO Global Geoparks Programme in Aotearoa.
Job Titles:
- Communication and Information Commissioner
Vanisa Dhiru has an extensive background within the NGO and voluntary sector. During her career she has been in Chief Executive roles including CEO of Volunteering New Zealand, and Executive Director of the 20/20 Trust (focusing on supporting digital inclusion for all New Zealanders).
Alongside her NZ National Commission of UNESCO role she is a commissioner with the Library & Information Advisory Commission, and holds advisory and panel roles for NGOs and government departments.
Vanisa's key achievements include supporting a NGO delegation to the United Nations in 2018; becoming a Chief Executive before the age of 30; and being made a Member of the New Zealand Order of Merit as part of the 2021 New Year's Honours for services to the community and gender rights.
She is currently appointed to the Department of Internal Affairs He Tohu Board, Lottery Wellington-Wairarapa Community Committee, the Spark Foundation and Victoria University's School of Business & Government Advisory Board. She is a member of the global BMW Foundation Responsible Leaders Network, Global Women NZ, and the Institute of Directors NZ.
Manawatū-born Indian Vanisa is passionate about challenging equity issues, developing young people and cultural relations.
Vicki Soanes has almost a decade of experience working in the NGO sector in Zambia, the UK, France and the USA. Immediately prior to returning to New Zealand in 2009, she spent four and a half years representing International Movement ATD Fourth World, an INGO focused on extreme poverty and human rights, at the United Nations in New York.
Vicki completed a Master of International Relations (Distinction) at Victoria University Wellington, her thesis looking at the participation and representation of people living in poverty at the United Nations.
After a year with UNICEF NZ as Advocacy Manager - International, she joined the Secretariat of the New Zealand National Commission for UNESCO in 2010, as Education Programme Officer with additional responsibility for the youth programme.
Vicki was appointed Secretary General in 2016. As the Secretary General, Vicki leads a small Secretariat which undertakes a programme of activities to promote UNESCO's mandate in New Zealand.
Yana joined the National Commission for UNESCO in early 2023 as a Senior Advisor.
As a strong believer in the importance of inclusive education, diversity of thought, and accessibility of information, Yana dedicated her career to empowering individuals through knowledge and fostering cross-cultural collaboration.
Prior to joining the National Commission, Yana worked as an ESOL educator in Aotearoa New Zealand and abroad and held several roles across the public service sector in Aotearoa. Recently she held the role of Senior Guidance Content Advisor at WorkSafe, prior to which she worked as a Technical Writer for the NCEA Change Project at the Ministry of Education.
Yana shares her time between the National Commission for UNESCO and the International Engagement and Cooperation team at the Ministry of Education, where she is responsible for the Ministry's engagement with UNESCO and its initiatives, including the Greening Education Partnership and engagement with SDG4 initiatives and reporting.
With a Master's in International Relations and Diplomacy, Yana possesses a deep understanding of global political dynamics and multilateral systems. She is also a member of the New Zealand Institute of International Affairs.
Yana is fluent in Spanish and Russian and enjoys a good mystery novel.