Historian Dame Judith Binney is in Auckland City Hospital with serious head injuries after being hit by a truck on Friday night.
She was struck by the truck while crossing Princes St in Auckland city in heavy rain, the Herald on Sunday reported.
Dame Judith was made a Distinguished Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit for services to historical research in 2006.
She has a strong bond with Tuhoe. Her latest book Encircled Lands: Te Urewera, 1820-1921 was launched last Monday at Ruatoki Marae. It tells of the first 100 years of Tuhoe following European contact.
Her husband Sebastian Black confirmed she had been in an accident but did not want to comment further.
The family has asked for privacy.
Minister for Arts, Culture and Heritage Chris Finlayson said he was "very saddened" to hear of the accident, which came only weeks before he was to host a reception at Parliament for Dame Judith and Tuhoe.
Police acting inspector Danny Meade said a woman was hit by a truck just after 5.30pm on Friday.
The early indications were that it was "pedestrian error", but police had only spoken to the truck driver so far.
