Māori governance across the generations: Elizabeth Cunningham & Tāmati Cunningham

Overview

Join us for an evening of reflection and inspiration as Elizabeth Cunningham KSO, JP and her grandson Tāmati Cunningham share the lessons learned through their personal journeys in governance.

Elizabeth (Ngāi Tahu, Ngāti Irakehu, Ngāti Mutunga ki Wharekauri) brings many years of leadership across health, environment, education, and iwi development. A trailblazer in Māori governance, she has held numerous governance roles, including Commissioner for Environment Canterbury, a representative of Te Rūnanga o Ngāi Tahu, and chair of multiple regional and iwi-led initiatives. Her impact spans intergenerational wellbeing, climate change, and community recovery – most notably through her mahi following the Canterbury earthquakes.

Tāmati’s whakapapa bases him in heart of Te Pātaka ō Rākaihautū – Koukourarata where he was brought up and raised on the marae. He fondly remembers his taua taking him to rūnanga meetings where he first started learning about Māori governance. Tāmati is currently studying at Te Wānanga o Waitaha | University of Canterbury, where he serves as the Māori students’ representative on the Faculty of Arts Board, and as the Māori representative on the University of Canterbury Students’ Association (UCSA).

Elizabeth's and Tāmati's kōrero will highlight the power of legacy, the importance of cultural grounding, and the evolving face of Māori governance.

Elizabeth Cunningham

KSO, JP

Elizabeth (Ngāi Tahu, Ngāti Irakehu, Ngāti Mutunga ki Wharekauri) has had a career spanning many years, focusing on the intergenerational health and wellbeing of whānau.  In 2024, Elizabeth was made a Companion of the King's Service Order (KSO) for services to governance.

Elizabeth served as President of the Māori Women’s Welfare League Rāpaki branch from 2009 to 2022, having been a member since 1978 and chaired Te Waipounamu Māori Women’s Welfare League steering committee. She was the first Māori elected to the Canterbury Area Health Board from 1991 to 1993, the first Māori elected as Canterbury Councillor for the Environment from 2004 to 2007, and chaired the Māori Advisory Committee for Environment Canterbury.

In 2016, Elizabeth was appointed a Commissioner for Environment Canterbury and led its climate change policy, one of the first in New Zealand. She has been the elected representative of Te Rūnanga o Ngāi Tahu since 2006, supporting the economic and cultural investments of her iwi at a national level. She was Chair of Kawawhakaruruhau at Ara Institute’s School of Nursing/Midwifery from 2000 to 2012, having oversight of the programme and training. Elizabeth was the Canterbury Earthquake Recovery Authority Governor from 2011 to 2016. She chaired Te Awheawhe Rū Whenua, a subcommittee established by Te Rūnanga o Ngāi Tahu, responding to the needs of the community. She has been a regional member of the Civil Defence and Emergency Management Group since 2020.

Tāmati Cunningham

Tāmati’s whakapapa bases him in heart of Te Pātaka ō Rākaihautū – Koukourarata, where he was brought up and raised on the marae. Tāmati has fond memories of his taua taking him to rūnanga meetings where he first started learning about Māori governance. From these experiences, Tāmati is now studying at Te Wananga ō Waitaha (University of Canterbury), Majoring in Te Reo Māori and Māori & Indigenous studies. 

Tāmati is the Māori students’ representative for the Faculty of Arts at Te Wānanga o Waitaha | University of Canterbury. In this role, he sits on the Faculty Board and attends Board Forum meetings. He was also nominated as the Māori representative on the University of Canterbury Students’ Association (UCSA) and serves on its Executive Board. As part of these responsibilities, Tāmati contributes to both the Arts Learning and Teaching Committee and the Arts Programme Committee.

Tāmati is also engaging in meaningful career outside of university at Mahaanui Kurataiao. This work involves providing mana whenua advice to the various Canterbury regional governments concerning resource consents within their takiwā.