Elizabeth Ellis (artist)

Elizabeth Ellis CNZM CNZM JP
Born	Elizabeth Aroha Mountain 1945 (1945) Kawakawa, New Zealand
Nationality	New Zealand
Alma mater	Elam School of Fine Arts, The University of Auckland
Known for	Painter
Movement	Modernism
Spouse	Robert Ellis ​ (m. 1966)​
Children	2 Judge Hana Ellis and Associate Professor Dr Ngarino Ellis

Elizabeth Aroha Ellis (née Mountain) (born 1945) is a New Zealand painter and Māori arts advocate, of Ngāpuhi and Ngāti Porou descent.

Education and career

Born in Kawakawa, Northland, Ellis's parents Emere Kaa RN RM CM QSO and Walter Mountain, were Kuia Kaumātua (elders) of Te Rawhiti Marae.

Ellis trained at the Elam School of Fine Arts, graduating with a Diploma of Fine Art in 1964. She has had a long career in art governance, including more than 25 years with Haerewa, the Māori advisory group to the Auckland Art Gallery. Ellis also served on the Creative New Zealand Council and its Māori art board, Te Waka Toi and the New Zealand Arts Foundation. Trustee NZ Arts Foundation for 7 years. Member CNZ Council 3 years, Chair of Te Waka Toi the Māori Arts Board of Creative NZ, 1996-2006 Aotearoa Country Representative of the Pacific Arts Council 1996-2006, International Federation of Arts Councils and Cultural Agencies 1999-2006.

Ellis was an education evaluator in the Education Review Office from 1989-2009 when she retired as Area Manager for Auckland and Te Taitokerau. She was the Commissioner of Te Aute College, Hawkes Bay from 2010-2013.

Ellis is currently Chair of the Wairau Māori Art Gallery Charitable Trust since 2012, New Zealand's first dedicated contemporary Public Māori Art Gallery housed opened in February 2022 in the Hundertwasser Art Centre in Whangārei. and the Chair of the Toi Iho Charitable Trust, Māori Made, Authentic and High-Quality Māori Art since 2010.

Personal life

Ellis married British-born painter Robert Ellis in 1966 and they had twin daughters, Judge Hana Ellis and art historian Associate Professor Dr Ngarino Ellis.