Ngarino Ellis is a prominent New Zealand academic and author specializing in Māori art history. As an associate professor at the University of Auckland, she is one of the few Māori art historians in Aotearoa, focusing on the evolution of Māori art from around 800 to the present, particularly pre-1900 tribal carving, moko signatures, and personal adornment.

Ellis holds undergraduate degrees in Law and Art History, a Master of Arts (Honours) in Art History, and a PhD from the University of Auckland. Her landmark publication, "A Whakapapa of Tradition: One Hundred Years of Ngāti Porou Carving 1830-1930", examines the transformation of Māori carving and has received multiple awards, including the Royal Society Te Apārangi Early Career Research Excellence Award for Humanities.

Her research emphasizes Kaupapa Māori principles, seeking to connect ancestral wisdom with contemporary practices. Ellis has been involved in several significant projects, including *Toi te Mana: A History of Indigenous Arts from Aotearoa New Zealand*, which explores Indigenous art history. She actively promotes Māori perspectives in art history and education, aiming to empower future generations.

Recognized for her teaching excellence, Ellis has received accolades for her commitment to student empowerment and community engagement. Her work not only enriches the understanding of Māori art but also contributes to broader discussions on Indigenous art histories globally. Through her scholarship and advocacy, Ngarino Ellis continues to shape the field of Māori art history and inspire new generations of artists and scholars.

‍

‍