In 2004 Richard Storey returned to New Zealand, inspired from two years working with A Rocha Lebanon. Eighteen months later, Kristel van Houte returned from three months with A Rocha Kenya. Richard, Kristel and ten others formed an initiative group in August 2006 that created the vision for a national organisation. A Rocha Aotearoa New Zealand was formally accepted into the international A Rocha family in April 2007, and held its launching conference in June 2008. A Rocha was registered as a charitable trust in 2008 with Richard Storey, Peter Wilcox, Nicola Hoggard-Creegan and John Flenley as founding trustees.