Arihia Bennett

Arihia Darryl Bennett (née Ruwhiu) is a New Zealand Māori leader. She was the chief executive officer of Te Rūnanga o Ngāi Tahu in New Zealand's South Island for almost 12 years, resigning the position in 2024. She is a member of Ngāi Tahu, Ngāti Porou and Ngāpuhi iwi.

Biography Bennett attended St Margaret's College, Christchurch. She started her career in social work, and worked for the government agency Child, Youth & Family and for the non-governmental agency Barnado's. From 1999 to 2002 she was a director for Ngāi Tahu Development Corporation, and served as chair from 2002 to 2005. In 2011 Bennett was appointed chief executive of He Oranga Pounamu, the iwi (tribe) organisation responsible for health and social services in the South Island. In 2012 she was appointed chief executive officer of the iwi, becoming the first female to hold the position.

Bennett is an alumna of graduate business school INSEAD Fontainebleau. She was the longest-serving CEO to date.