Adriana Bird

Adriana is the Special Advisor Youth of the NZ National Commission for UNESCO.

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.