Leonie Pihama is a mother of six and a grandmother of six. She is Professor of Māori and Indigenous Research and Research Director at Tū Tama Wāhine o Taranaki.
Leonie was a recipient of the Hohua Tūtengaehe Post-Doctoral Research Fellowship (Health Research Council) and the inaugural Ngā Pae o Te Maramatanga Senior Māori Fulbright Award.
Leonie was awarded ‘Te Tohu Pae Tawhiti Award’ (NZARE) for excellence in Māori Educational Research and ‘Te Tohu Rapuora Award (HRC) to recognise significant contribution to Māori health excellence and leadership.
Leonie was Director of The International Research Institute for Māori and Indigenous Education (IRI, Auckland) and Te Kotahi Research Institute (Waikato).
She served on the Māori Health Commitee for the Health Research council and on a number of key boards including Māori Television, Te Mangai Pāho,and Ngā Pae o te Māramatanga. Leonie is a Fellow of the Royal Society of New Zealand.