In 2024 Tamati-Quennell was appointed a Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit for services to Māori and First Nations art.
Tamati-Quennell is Māori, and is affiliated with Te Ātiawa, Ngāti Mutunga, Kāti Māmoe, Ngāi Tahu and Waitaha iwi.
Tamati-Quennell also worked as a weaver, training under Diane Prince at the Wellington Arts Centre and Erenora Puketapu Hetet at Waiwhetu Marae.
[3] Her first curated exhibition was Pū Manawa, covering Māori weavers and contemporary artists, and she was also involved in Kohia Ko Taikaka Anake, an exhibition of contemporary Māori art at the National Art Gallery.
[4] In the 2024 Birthday Honours Tamati-Quennell was appointed a Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit for services to Māori and First Nations art.