Lisa Tumahai

Lisa Tumahai CNZM (née Tauwhare; born 1966) is a New Zealand iwi leader and was the first female kaiwhakahaere (chairperson) of Te Runanga o Ngāi Tahu.

[2] Tumahai left school with no qualifications, and worked in sewing factories and hospitality before taking a tourism course, followed by an administrative job.

[2] During her period as chairperson,Tumahai worked to decentralise the governance of Ngāi Tahu, passing more control to the local runanga.

[8] Tumahai serves on the University of Canterbury council and the Waitangi National Trust and Development West Coast.

[2] In the 2023 New Year Honours Tumahai was appointed a Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit for services to Māori development.