Professor Rawinia Higgins (Tūhoe) is highly esteemed for her work in Māori language revitalisation, particularly language planning and policy. Her research has advanced legislative change, public policy, government investment and strategy development in Aotearoa. Alongside her colleague, Professor Poia Rewi, she co-designed the Zero Passive Active (ZePA) Māori language revitalisation model, which identifies effect areas’ that allows planners, funders and deliverers of Māori language initiatives to be more specific and targeted in their approach. She chaired the Review of the Māori Language Bill, leading the extensive nationwide consultation process for Te Ture mō Te Reo Māori (The Māori Language Act 2016). Throughout this process, she engaged directly with Māori communities, incorporating their input in the final document. The resulting legislation was ground-breaking and reframed the policy landscape for the whole Māori language sector. Rawinia is the first woman to become Chair and Commissioner of the Te Taura Whiri i te Reo Māori, the Māori Language Commission and the youngest member to be appointed to the Waitaingi Tribunal. Building on her research, a 2020 initiative by Te Taura Whiri i te Reo Māori saw over 1 million New Zealanders take part in the ‘Māori Language Moment’ – the single largest celebration of te reo Māori in Aotearoa. Her scholarly contributions have made a significant impact in sharing new discourse, insights and understanding of mātauranga Māori and challenging cultural norms.