From atmospheric science research to jumping in front of a research ship to protest deep sea mining, 1.5 Degrees – A Global Warning features a diverse group of passionate, inspirational rangatahi working across different spaces, who are all united in their desire to inspire action and create meaningful change.

Corban Richter (Te Whānau ā Apanui, Taranaki) and Toby Whata (Ngāti Pikiao, Ngāti Kawiti, Ngāti Tamateatutahi) are the next generation of rangatahi Māori architects, both in their 4th year at the University of Auckland’s Waipapa Taumata Rau School of Architecture and Planning.

Monday’s episode follows their progress during the School’s Advanced Design 2 course, under the mentorship of RTA Studio founder Rich Naish and professional teaching fellow and Architecture NZ editor Chris Barton.

The pair look at climate resilient architecture and ask if mātauranga Māori might hold the answers. “As aspiring architects, we need to intentionally design with climate change as our focal point,” they say.

“Climate change poses significant dangers to Aotearoa, including rising sea levels threatening coastal iwi,” says Whata. “There will be more frequent extreme weather events, such as storms and wildfires, disrupting our whenua and agriculture industry. As an architecture student, I must design buildings that are climate responsible and regenerative, to protect the future of our people and whenua.”

Richter points out that, in the context of architecture, while significant strides have been taken to combat climate change in the form of innovations in sustainable materials, passive design, and net-zero energy buildings, this is not enough. “Ongoing collaboration, widespread adoption, and a focus on regenerative design are a necessity to effectively address the pressing challenges of climate change within architecture,” he says.

Faultline Films’ director and producer, Amanda Jones, says climate change is a crisis that puts everyone at risk but the younger we are, the greater the stakes.“It should be of concern to everyone that all the decisions being made around climate change today are being made by people who will not be around to feel its effects,” says Jones. “Māori are more likely to be impacted by the effects of climate change. We are already seeing the loss of urupā and marae, with extreme weather impacting our vulnerable communities.”

1.5 degrees – A Global Warning is screening on Whakaata Māori and Māori+ on Monday nights at 7.30pm.