Aroha is of Ngāti Awa, Ngāti Porou, Ngāti Tūwharetoa, Tuhourangi and Ngāi Tūhoe descent.

She is a research director specialising in mātauranga Māori/indigenous knowledge, and indigenous cultural and intellectual property Issues.

Aroha has worked across sectors, including public policy, academia, journalism, Iwi/Māori organisations, as well as national and international NGOs.