Nigel Borell is a distinguished artist and Māori Arts curator whose profound impact on Aotearoa's arts landscape is epitomized by his creative direction of the groundbreaking exhibition, Toi Tū Toi Ora: Contemporary Māori Art. Born and raised in New Zealand, Borell's artistic journey was shaped by early influences such as the Peter Gossage series of Māui illustrated books, sparking a passion that led him to complete a Bachelor of Māori Visual Arts at Massey University in Palmerston North in 2000. Under the mentorship of Robert Jahnke and the Toioho ki Apiti program, Borell furthered his education with a Master of Fine Arts at Elam School of Fine Arts, University of Auckland, in 2003.

Borell's hands-on experience in Māori arts, working on meeting house projects under tohunga whakaio Pakariki Harrison and kowhaiwhai artist Peter Boyd, has contributed to his nuanced approach to the intersection of tradition and contemporary expression. Influenced by Māori curators Megan Tamati-Quennell and Ngahiraka Mason, Borell's curatorial journey took flight as he assumed the role of Associate Curator Māori Art at Auckland War Memorial Museum Tāmaki Paenga Hira in 2013, later transitioning to become the Curator Māori Art at Auckland Art Gallery in 2015.

His pivotal role in curating Toi Tū Toi Ora, the largest exhibition in the 133-year history of Auckland Art Gallery, underscored Borell's commitment to reshaping narratives around Māori art. The exhibition, featuring over 300 works by 111 Māori artists, explored new dimensions of engagement with Māori art, spanning various mediums such as painting, sculpture, printmaking, and digital media. The exhibition, framed by the Māori creation narrative, attracted widespread acclaim and became the most attended at the Gallery since 1989.

Borell's dedication to the promotion and celebration of Māori art extends beyond traditional gallery spaces. He serves as a trustee and curator of The Wairau Māori Art Gallery, housed in the iconic Hundertwasser Building in Whangarei, offering a platform dedicated to showcasing Māori artists and curators.

Despite his resignation from Auckland Art Gallery in January 2021, citing a lack of control in the lead-up to Toi Tū Toi Ora, Borell continues to shape the cultural landscape as he returned to Auckland War Memorial Museum as Curator Taonga Māori in 2022, a role previously held by Chanel Clarke. His enduring commitment to sharing Māori culture and empowering Indigenous voices remains at the forefront of his impactful career.

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