He uri tēnei nō Ngāti Kahungunu, Ngāti Tūwharetoa, Kai Tahu, Ngā Rauru hoki – Ko Chelsea Cunningham tēnei!

Raised on the lands of Kahungunu, Chelsea brings a spirited energy for sport, play, and whānau well-being to Toi Tangata. She’s a graduate of Otago University, where her passion for Māori physical activity and health truly took flight. Her rangahau dives into how whānau connect to whakapapa and whenua, exploring the significance of ancestral land and seascapes to uplift well-being. Chelsea leads the Rangahau stream, with her main kaupapa being Growing the Puna, crafting spaces for tauira Māori to flourish and rangahau that centers on Māori values.

When she’s not in the mahi, you’ll find her on a maunga somewhere or out with her whānau. As a former Growing the Puna intern herself, Chelsea is thrilled to be part of the Toi Tangata whānau – supporting others like she was, providing memorable moments in the taiao and always with a laugh along the way.