Arihia Bennett

Arihia Bennett is currently serving as the National Commissioner South for Tamariki & Whanau Services at Oranga Tamariki—Ministry for Children, a role held since September 2024. Previous experience includes a tenure as Chief Executive Officer at Te Rūnanga o Ngāi Tahu from August 2012 to March 2024, and as Chief Executive at Arihia Oranga Pounamu from August 2011 to August 2012. Arihia Bennett also worked as the South Island Regional Manager at Barnardos New Zealand from January 2006 to July 2011, and as a Senior Social Work Educator at Child, Youth & Family from May 1997 to December 2005. Early career roles include General Manager positions at Fiordland Travel (now Real Journeys) and O Tapara Lodge. Educational credentials include a Post-graduate Diploma in Social Work from the University of Canterbury and attendance at St Margaret's College in Christchurch, New Zealand.