Michael Stephens

Professor Michael (Mike) Stevens (nō Kāi Tahu) is a prominent New Zealand historian and the Director of the Ngāi Tahu Research Centre at the University of Canterbury.

Holding a PhD, LLB, and BA(Hons) from the University of Otago, his research focuses on southern Māori maritime, environmental, and economic history.

He is the author of the award-winning book A World History of Bluff and was awarded the prestigious Royal Society Te Apārangi Te Kōpūnui Māori Research Award for his contributions to Indigenous history.

Deeply embedded in his community, Professor Stevens is actively involved with Te Rūnaka o Awarua and traditional muttonbirding.