Jessica Hutchings

Jessica Hutchings (Ngāi Tahu, Ngāti Huirapa, Gujarati) is a well-respected leader in the Māori science sector. For the last three years, she has held the role of Tumu Whakarae/Director Māori in the Building Better Homes, Towns and Cities National Science Challenge. She is the current Chair of the Rauika Māngai (a cross-NSC senior Māori leadership group) and is also a member of the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment (MBIE) Science Board.

She has a PhD in environmental studies and has been working at the crossroads of indigenous knowledge, whānau and environmental wellbeing for the last two decades. Jessica is a widely published author and currently works as a consultant across a range of projects that contribute to the broad goals of kaupapa Māori and science. She is also the founder and teacher of Yogahā.