Qiane Matata-Sipu (Te Waiohua, Waikato, Ngāpuhi, Ngāti Pikiao, Cook Islands) is a powerhouse Māori-Pasifika creative, storyteller, and activist who is reshaping narratives and empowering Indigenous voices.
Based in Ihumātao, South Auckland, Qiane is the visionary behind NUKU, a groundbreaking movement that champions Indigenous women and reclaims ancestral knowledge. She’s the acclaimed author of NUKU: Stories of 100 Indigenous Women and a prolific children's author, with books like Maki the Tuurehu and Ngā Kupenga a Nanny Rina bringing mātauranga to young minds.
Qiane's unwavering dedication to Indigenous rights, land, culture, and identity (including her leadership in the SOUL Protect Ihumātao campaign) has earned her significant recognition, including a Member of the New Zealand Order of Merit and being named a New Zealand Women of Influence Arts and Culture.
As a thought-leader, cultural commentator and entrepreneur, Qiane challenges conventional thinking, weaving creativity and culture to guide us toward a thriving future. Don't miss the opportunity to hear from this vibrant, disruptive and change-making wahine, driven by her tūpuna to amplify the voices of marginalised communities to change the narrative for generations to come.
