Professor Rawinia Higgins (Tūhoe) PFHEA, FRSNZ, MNZM is the Deputy Vice-Chancellor Māori and Kaitiakitanga at Te Herenga Waka—Victoria University of Wellington. Professor Higgins is currently the Chair and Commissioner of Te Taura Whiri i te Reo Māori—The Māori Language Commission, and is the first woman to be appointed to this position.

She was elected as a Pacific Region representative on the Global Taskforce for the UNESCO International Decade of Indigenous Languages. Professor Higgins has been appointed to a number of governance and advisory board roles for government, Māori and iwi, including a member of the Waitangi Tribunal 2011 to 2025, and a Board member of the Reserve Bank of New Zealand 2022 -2025.

Her research expertise is Māori language revitalisation and, more specifically, language planning and policy. She was instrumental in shaping the current Māori language legislation and policy framework. Professor Higgins was awarded an MNZM (Member of the New Zealand Order of Merit) in the 2025 New Years Honours List in recognition of her services to Māori language, education and governance.