Awhina Tamarapa is a Māori curator, researcher and writer. She is a Teaching Fellow and PhD student in the Museum and Heritage Studies programme at Victoria University of Wellington, Te Herenga Waka. Awhina holds a Master of Arts in Museum Studies from Massey University, Bachelor of Māori Laws and
Philosophy from Te Wānanga o Raukawa, Otaki, and a Bachelor of Arts from Victoria University of Wellington, majoring in Anthropology.

Awhina is passionate about the reconnection of taonga to descendants and mahi toi informing museum practice. 

She supports the Haumanu taonga pūoro movement, mahi o Te Ao Kohatu and Te Whare Pora o Hine te-iwaiwa through her work as an Honorary research associate and former Curator Māori for Te Papa.