Qiane Matata-Sipu (Te Waiohua, Waikato, Ngāpuhi, Ngāti Pikiao, Cook Islands) is an esteemed Māori-Pasifika creative, storyteller, and award-winning journalist and photographer. She is a social activist and cultural commentator whose career contributing to leading media publications and books across Aotearoa and the Pacific spans nearly two decades. Qiane is a regular guest speaker at women’s arts, business and leadership events. She is the founder and director of NUKU and QIANE+co, and is the founding member and co-leader of Protect Ihumātao. In 2021 Qiane was awarded the Women of Influence Arts and Culture Award, and in 2023 became a Member of the New Zealand Order of Merit (MNZM) for services to the arts. Her first book NUKU: Stories of 100 Indigenous Women was shortlisted in the 2022 Ockham New Zealand Book Awards for Illustrated Non-Fiction. Her bilingual children's stories have been widely acclaimed, and Ngā Kūpenga a Nanny Rina/Nanny Rina's Amazing Nets was awarded Storylines Notable Te Reo Māori award and was a finalist in the New Zealand Book Awards for Children and Young Adults in 2025.
