She stands on the shoulders of tūpuna (ancestors) who have provided her with years of guidance.
‘‘The mahi that we do in the environmental space is about maintaining relationships.
‘‘It takes a village; without the mentoring and guidance of others we couldn’t do this.’’
The 66-year-old has been a leader, advocate and mentor for Ngāi Tahu whānui and in conservation.
As manager of Awarua Rūnaka since the early 2000s, she has led in the customary fisheries space and restoration of mahinga kai and mātaitai takiwa around the Southland coastline.
She represented Te Rūnanga o Ngai Tahu from 2017 to 2023.
As a founding member of Guardians of Fiordland Fisheries in 1997, she initiated work that enabled the establishment of several marine protected areas.
She is on the Southland Conservation Board, Kaitiaki Rōpū and provides mana whenua views to the Department of Conservation.
She has been instrumental in the Predator Free Rakiura and the South-East Marine Protection Forum projects.
She advocates for Ngāi Tahu access to taonga species and materials — for continued customary cultural use such as weaving korowai and has led Korowai Wānanga at Te Rau Aroha Marae since 2010.
Mrs Thompson was a founding member in 2018 and co-chairwoman from 2021 for what is now Whakamana Te Waituna, and was formidable in the restoration of Waituna Lagoon and surrounding wetlands.
Gail Henrietta Maria Thompson
Bluff
MNZM
Māori and conservation
