Lisa Tumahai

Lisa Tumahai
CNZM
Tumahai in 2024
Born
Lisa Tauwhare

1966 (age 59–60)
Christchurch, New Zealand

Lisa Tumahai CNZM (née Tauwhare; born 1966) is a New Zealand iwi leader. She was the first female kaiwhakahaere (chairperson) of Te Runanga o Ngāi Tahu from 2016 to 2023.

Her other professional governance appointments include deputy chair of the Climate Change Commission, member of the University of Canterbury council, and member of the Environmental Protection Authority board.

Early life and education

Tumahai is Māori and affiliates to the Ngāi Tahu, Tainui, Ngāti Hikairo, and Ngāti Kahungunui iwi.[1] She is the fifth of six children, and was born in 1966; her parents were living in Bishopdale in Christchurch at the time.[2] Tumahai left school with no qualifications, and worked in sewing factories and hospitality before taking a tourism course, followed by an administrative job.[2] She then earned a Bachelor of Commerce from the University of Canterbury, followed by study at Stanford University Graduate School of Business.[3]

Professional governance career

Tumahai spent five years as deputy chair of Te Runanga o Ngāi Tahu before being appointed interim chair in 2016, taking over from Mark Solomon.[4] She was the representative for Te Runanga o Ngati Waewae, having been elected to that role in 2003.[4][2] Tumahai was then elected chair at elections the following year.[5] She was reelected for another three-year term in 2020.[6] Tumahai was the first female chair of the runanga, and served for six years.[5][7] The runanga represents 70,000 people and manages over $1.8 billion of assets.[2] During her period as chairperson,Tumahai worked to decentralise the governance of Ngāi Tahu, passing more control to the local runanga. She also improved the environmental performance of Ngāi Tahu operations, including having V8 jet boat engines converted to electric engines.[2][1] Tumahai did not seek reelection in 2023, saying her "tank was dry".[8]

Tumahai serves on the University of Canterbury council and the Waitangi National Trust and Development West Coast.[9][10] She has also been on the board of the health and social services provider Te Poutini Waiora.[1] Since its inception in 2019, Tumahai has been deputy chair of He Pou a Rangi, the Climate Change Commission.[11][12] She was acting chair for a brief period between the departure of Rod Carr and commencement of Patsy Reddy's term as chair.[13] In May 2026 she joined the Environmental Protection Authority board.[14]

Personal life and family

Tumahai is married with three children, and lives in Hokitika, on the West Coast of New Zealand.[2]

Awards and honours

In the 2023 New Year Honours Tumahai was appointed a Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit for services to Māori development.[15]

References

  1. 1 2 3 "New Year Honours List 2023 - Citations for Companions of the New Zealand Order of Merit | Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet (DPMC)". www.dpmc.govt.nz. 31 December 2022. Retrieved 27 October 2024.
  2. 1 2 3 4 5 6 Abraham, Matt (3 April 2022). "Lisa Tumahai is Ngāi Tahu's First Female Chair". North & South Magazine. Retrieved 29 October 2024.
  3. ↑ "UC Chancellor reappointed | University of Canterbury". www.canterbury.ac.nz. 19 February 2024. Retrieved 29 October 2024.
  4. 1 2 Mills, Laura (14 December 2016). "Tumahai takes Te Runanga o Ngai Tahu reins". NZ Herald. Retrieved 29 October 2024.
  5. 1 2 Wikaire-Lewis, Mana (15 November 2023). "Lisa Tumahai steps down as Ngāi Tahu chair, calls on next generation to step up". NZ Herald. Retrieved 27 October 2024.
  6. ↑ "Lisa Tumahai re-elected Kaiwhakahaere". ngaitahu.iwi.nz. Retrieved 27 October 2024.
  7. ↑ "Lisa Tumahai steps down as Ngāi Tahu chair calls on next generation to step up". Te Ao Māori News. Retrieved 27 October 2024.
  8. ↑ O'Callaghan, Jody (23 November 2023). "Ngāi Tahu leader's 'tank is dry' as she hands over the reins". www.stuff.co.nz. Retrieved 27 October 2024.
  9. ↑ "Lisa Tumahai | University of Canterbury". www.canterbury.ac.nz. 8 March 2024. Retrieved 27 October 2024.
  10. ↑ "Inside iwi governance with Lisa Tumahai | IoD NZ". The Institute of Directors. 28 April 2024. Retrieved 27 October 2024.
  11. ↑ "Our Board and Chief Executive". www.climatecommission.govt.nz. Retrieved 27 October 2024.
  12. ↑ "Revealed: NZ's new climate change commissioners". NZ Herald. 18 December 2019. Retrieved 29 October 2024.
  13. ↑ Pullar-Strecker, Tom (9 December 2024). "Dame Patsy Reddy to be new head of Climate Change Commission". The Post. Retrieved 9 December 2024.
  14. ↑ "New appointments to the Environmental Protection Authority board". The Beehive. 4 May 2026. Retrieved 5 May 2026.
  15. ↑ "New Year Honours List 2023". Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet (DPMC). 31 December 2022. Retrieved 5 May 2026.
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