Tui Shortland is a respected leader in environmental governance, indigenous rights, and sustainable development, with over two decades of experience in policy, advocacy, and community-driven environmental restoration. As the Deputy Chair of the Northland Regional Council and Te Raki Māori constituency representative, she is committed to integrating mātauranga Māori into governance, ensuring policies are aligned with the values and aspirations of Māori communities.

 

Tui has played a pivotal role in freshwater and marine management, leading initiatives to protect Aotearoa’s natural resources through indigenous-led conservation, rāhui, and ecological monitoring frameworks. Her expertise in cultural indicators has been recognized internationally, and she has represented Māori and Pacific Indigenous knowledge systems at United Nations forums, the Convention on Biological Diversity (UNCBD), and global environmental negotiations.

 

As the Director of Te Kōpū – Pacific Indigenous & Local Knowledge Centre of Distinction, Tui collaborates with Indigenous communities worldwide to strengthen biodiversity protection, climate resilience, and indigenous self-determination. Her leadership extends to marine and coastal protection, securing over 50 square kilometers of marine protected areas under Māori-led governance.

 

Tui’s vision is deeply rooted in whakapapa, kaitiakitanga, and intergenerational well-being, ensuring that environmental policies uphold Māori tino rangatiratanga and create lasting benefits for future generations.

 

For media inquiries, collaborations, or to learn more about Tui’s work, please contact us.