Denise Arnold

2021 Women of Influence finalist: Transforming children’s lives

For accomplished lawyer Denise Arnold, lifelong learning is a passion. “I very much enjoyed my time with Massey University, which started back with a Diploma in Business Studies in an attempt to give myself a broader view of business issues after completing my law degree in Auckland. I completed this diploma in 1992, so my history with Massey is quite long!”

Denise has a particular regard for her more recent qualification with Massey, the Postgraduate Diploma and Master of Development Studies, which she completed in 2016.

“I really loved engaging with development practitioners from many different countries and getting to know the leading development thinkers in New Zealand. I miss being part of the student body and have considered returning to undertake a PhD but just at the moment, life seems to have other plans for me so that will have to wait for now.”

This passion for education was one of the things that led to Denise founding the Cambodia Charitable Trust, a trust dedicated to interrupting the cycle of poverty and child sex trafficking for vulnerable Cambodian children through education. Denise has worked closely with Cambodia’s Ministry of Education, Youth and Sport to improve both access to and the standard of education delivered.

“My studies with Massey taught me a great deal about the geopolitical environment within which development work sits, and the best practice for planning and delivery of development programmes. They have given me a lot more confidence in the decisions I am making and the management and monitoring of our work in Cambodia.”

It is for her work with Cambodia Charitable Trust that Denise is nominated in the category of Community Hero.