Libby Hakaraia, a Māori storyteller, writer, director, and producer, has been a vanguard in the field of arts and culture in Aotearoa for over two decades. The founder and director of Māoriland Film Festival, the world’s largest Indigenous film festival, Libby has transformed the way Māori stories are told, seen, and valued. She also established the Māoriland Hub, a nationally recognised venue for artist residencies, youth programmes, and Toi Matarau, a contemporary Māori art gallery. Her distinguished career began in broadcasting, interviewing global personalities like Nelson Mandela and local heroes, with a focus on telling the stories of Aotearoa.

Libby continues her remarkable work by developing a range of screen projects, deeply rooted in Aotearoa and its culture. Her global vision has fostered international partnerships that allow Māori and Aotearoa-based storytellers to reach worldwide audiences. Libby’s leadership goes beyond her awards and accolades, including her appointment as a Member of the New Zealand Order of Merit in 2022. Her humble yet powerful approach to community wellbeing and cultural preservation creates meaningful opportunities and lasting impact on the cultural and creative landscape of Aotearoa.