Aroha Te Pareake Mead (Ngāti Awa, Ngāti Porou and Tūhourangi) is an independent Māori researcher specialising in mātauranga Māori/Indigenous knowledge, biocultural heritage, Indigenous cultural and intellectual property policy and law and biotechnology and conservation. Aroha has worked across sectors, including public policy, academia, journalism, iwi and Māori organisations, as well as national and international NGOs. Her current roles include being a member of Te Rūnanga on Ngāti Awa, as well as member of the Māori Advisory Trademarks Committee and the Repatriation Advisory Panel of Te Papa Tongarewa the National Museum of NZ. Aroha chairs Te Rōpu Rangaputanga (Mānaki Whenua) and the Strategic Oversight Group for the Review of NZ’s Wildlife Act. Previous roles include the International Union for Conservation of Nature Governing Council (16 years), Global Chair, IUCN Commission on Environment, Economic and Social Policy (8 years), Fonterra Sustainability Advisory Panel, Greenpeace NZ Board member and Foreign Policy Convenor for Māori Congress.