Aroha brings more than three decades of geothermal governance, leadership, and community development experience, including her long-standing roles as Trustee of Tauhara North No. 2 Trust (TN2T), Board Member of the New Zealand Geothermal Association, and others, adviser to geothermal communities around the world. Her expertise spans governance, stakeholder engagement, strategic leadership, indigenous participation, and the successful integration of cultural values within major geothermal developments.
Aroha is widely recognized for helping transform TN2T from a small landowner trust into one of New Zealand’s most successful indigenous geothermal enterprises, with assets now exceeding $1BN. She has overseen the development of 4 geothermal power stations.
She played a key role in enabling the development of significant geothermal power projects while ensuring benefits flowed back to owners through education, health, cultural, and community initiatives. Her leadership has demonstrated how
geothermal resources can create lasting economic and social outcomes for indigenous communities.
Beyond New Zealand, Aroha has been a strong advocate for indigenous participation in geothermal development internationally, including contributing to the first Geothermal Indigenous People’s Declaration and supporting strategic initiatives with communities in Kenya, Hawaii and elsewhere.