Bringing indigenous Elders together from the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta to Aotearoa.

An invitation has been extended to elders from the Kogi people to travel to New Zealand to meet with Maori and other elders, and to visit the land here. They live in the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta, northern Colombia, a stunning mountain range on the edge of the Caribbean with habitats ranging from dense forest to glacial high country. They live in their traditional manner, close to the earth, and are deeply connected to nature and the planetary ecosystems.

They have long been warning of the dangers to our earth of over-exploitation of resources that modern lifestyle brings, as they observe the effects in their homelands. They have much to teach and inspire about fostering a deeper connection to the nature around us and how to care for it better.

They wish to meet with elders here to connect and share with other leaders, create relationships among indigenous peoples, and travel to some of Aotearoa's special natural places. They have protected their culture strongly from modern society, however now they are feeling the urgent call to share their voice and message further, to those who can hear it.

The group will consist of a traditionally raised elder and leader, his wife, and their son who will act as translator from the Kogi language to Spanish. Also their guide and advocate Jaime Justino Correa Jaramillo will accompany them throughout their travels.