Rawinia Ruth Higgins (born 1973) is a New Zealand academic whose research focuses on MÃÂori language and culture. In December 2024, Higgins was appointed a Member of the New Zealand Order of Merit for services to MÃÂori language, education and governance.
Higgins' Master's thesis at the University of Otago was on the nature of transmission of oral histories, while her 2004 PhD thesis â â was on the identity politics of female chin tattoos. She was the Head of School at Te Kawa a MÃÂui, School of Maori Studies at Victoria University and was appointed Deputy Vice Chancellor MÃÂori at Victoria University of Wellington in 2016.
Higgins has written MÃÂori material for '. She has been a member of the Waitangi Tribunal since 2013, and is on the board of Te MÃÂngai PÃÂho, the MÃÂori Broadcast Funding Agency. She is currently Chair of the MÃÂori Language Commission. Higgins has also served on the following boards, Te Kotahi a Tà «hoe and the Tà «hoe Fisheries Charitable Trust Board. Higgins provided the translation for the MÃÂori name of the New Zealand Veterinary Association â â which the organization adopted on 29 May 2023.
In November 2020, the Royal Society Te ApÃÂrangi awarded Higgins the Pou Aronui award for dedicated service to the humanitiesâÂÂaronui over a sustained period. In March 2021, Higgins was elected a Fellow of the Royal Society Te ApÃÂrangi, recognising "her scholarly contributions have made a significant impact in sharing new discourse, insights and understanding of mÃÂtauranga MÃÂori and challenging cultural norms".
In the 2025 New Year Honours, Higgins was appointed a Member of the New Zealand Order of Merit, for services to MÃÂori language, education and governance.
Born in 1973, Higgins is of Tà «hoe descent.