Hana-Rawhiti Maipi-Clarke
Te Pāti Māori, Member of Parliament

Hana-Rawhiti Maipi-Clarke (Ngāi Tahu, Ngāpuhi, Ngāti Porou, Te Atiawa, Waikato) is a Member of Parliament for the Hauraki-Waikato electorate representing Te Pāti Māori. Elected in 2023 at just 21 years old, she became the youngest MP elected to the New Zealand Parliament in more than 170 years.

Of Waikato, Ngāpuhi, Ngāti Porou, Te Āti Awa and Ngāi Tahu descent, Hana-Rawhiti is recognised for her strong advocacy for rangatahi, te reo Māori, environmental protection, and Māori rights. Before entering Parliament, she gained national attention through her work promoting maramataka Māori and published a book on the Māori lunar calendar while still a teenager.

Since entering Parliament, she has become one of the most visible young Indigenous political voices internationally, known for her passionate speeches and commitment to kaupapa Māori and tino rangatiratanga. In 2024 she received the One Young World Politician of the Year Award and was later named in the BBC 100 Women list.

Chief Judge Caren Fox
Waitangi Tribunal, Māori Land Court

Chief Judge Caren Fox (Ngāti Porou, Rongowhakaata, Tūhoe) was appointed to the Māori Land Court on 1 October 2000 and was later appointed as Deputy Chief Judge on 20 February 2010. She was in Gisborne as one of the resident Judges for the Tairāwhiti District of the Māori Land Court, prior to her appointment as Chief Judge.

Before becoming a Judge, Chief Judge Fox was a lecturer in law at Victoria University, and a Senior Lecturer in law and Director of Graduate Studies at the University of Waikato. In addition, she acted as legal counsel for Treaty claimants and Māori land clients.

A specialist in international human rights, Chief Judge Fox was a Harkness Fellow to the USA from 1991 to 1992 and a Pacific Fellow in Human Rights Education employed by the Commonwealth Fund for Technical Co-operation 1997-1999. For her work in human rights she won the NZ Human Rights Commission 2000 Millennium Medal.

Chief Judge Fox has been the presiding officer for the Waitangi Tribunal on the Aquaculture claims, the Te Arawa Mandate and Settlement claims, Central North Island Stage 1 claims, the Te Kohanga Reo claims and the Te Rohe Potae claims. She is currently the presiding officer for the Porirua ki Manawatu claims and the Constitutional Kaupapa Inquiry. She was appointed Chairperson of the Waitangi Tribunal in August 2023.

Chief Judge Fox was also appointed as an Alternate Environment Court Judge in 2009.

In 2023, she graduated with a Doctorate in Philosophy.

She was sworn in as the Chief Judge of the Māori Land Court in August 2023. Her appointment to this role marks the first time since 1865 that a woman has led the Māori Land Court bench.

Rawinia Higgins
Te Herenga Waka—Victoria University of Wellington

Professor Rawinia Higgins (Tūhoe) PFHEA, FRSNZ, MNZM is the Deputy Vice-Chancellor Māori and Kaitiakitanga at Te Herenga Waka—Victoria University of Wellington. Professor Higgins is currently the Chair and Commissioner of Te Taura Whiri i te Reo Māori—The Māori Language Commission, and is the first woman to be appointed to this position. She was elected as a Pacific Region representative on the Global Taskforce for the UNESCO International Decade of Indigenous Languages. Professor Higgins has been appointed to a number of governance and advisory board roles for government, Māori and iwi, including a member of the Waitangi Tribunal 2011 to 2025, and a Board member of the Reserve Bank of New Zealand 2022 -2025. Her research expertise is Māori language revitalisation and, more specifically, language planning and policy. She was instrumental in shaping the current Māori language legislation and policy framework. Professor Higgins was awarded an MNZM (Member of the New Zealand Order of Merit) in the 2025 New Years Honours List in recognition of her services to Māori language, education and governance.

Erin Roxburgh
Te Herenga Waka—Victoria University of Wellington

Erin Roxburgh (Ngāti Porou) is a Māori governance practitioner, researcher, educator, and advocate working at the intersection of sport, leadership, and equity. She is Deputy Chair of Women in Sport Aotearoa and holds governance roles across community and national organisations, where she is known for bringing values, care, and challenge into decision-making spaces. Erin is also a lecturer in sport management and governance and recently completed her PhD examining how tikanga is enacted in Māori governance hui, with a particular focus on decision-making and leadership at the board table.

Alongside her academic and governance work, Erin is an active advocate for gender equity and inclusive leadership, with experience contributing to international forums including the United Nations and APEC. She is a deeply passionate human who cares about people, relationships, and the worlds our decisions create — and she brings that care with her wherever she sits at the table.

Atawhai Tibble
Chair, Haemata Limited

Atawhai (Ngāti Porou, Te Whānau a Apanui, Tūwharetoa, Whanganui, Raukawa ki te Tonga) has extensive experience in the public service and has worked as a Manager and a Senior Advisor at a range of agencies including Te Taura Whiri i te Reo, Te Puni Kōkiri, and the Ministry of Education. He has also has experience in the Beehive where he was an advisor to the the Ministers of Education and Māori Affairs.

Taleta Dearden

Taleta Dearden (Hāmoa), from Ōtautahi, is a dynamic presenter, host & journalist with a rich background in the music industry, having interviewed artists and engaged with crowds at Aotearoa’s biggest music festivals. She has served as a panel host and interviewer at the Christchurch Hip Hop Summit and has also hosted Christchurch Poly Fest.

A graduate of radio school, Taleta began her career in media and broadcasting, working at various radio stations before becoming an independent host and presenter. Taleta is passionate about connecting with people & sharing their stories.

Additionally, she is skilled in acting, modelling, and dancing, bringing a multifaceted talent to all her endeavors.