Dame Aroha (Ngāi tūāhuriri, Ngāi tahu) is a kaumātua of Tuahiwi Marae and her community and has represented her hapū at an iwi level. She has been active with the Māori Women’s Welfare League (MWWL) for 52 years and was president from 1990-1993. In her role at Māori Women’s Development Inc, Dame Aroha supports wāhine Māori in business start-up and development.
As chairperson of Matapopore she ensures Ngāi Tahutanga and Ngāi Tūāhuriri values are embedded in the redevelopment of post-quake Ōtautahi. Among her other accolades, Dame Aroha was once named ‘Young Māori Woman of the Year’, was awarded the Queen Elizabeth II Silver Jubilee Medal in 1977, and in 1993 was named a Commander of the Order of the British Empire.
