New Zealand Disability Strategy working group members
In March 2025, working groups were established to develop actions in 5 priority areas: education, employment, health, housing and justice.
Each working group was made up of people with lived experience of disability, cross-agency government officials, industry or sector experts, and was supported by officials from Whaikaha.
Education working group members
Community Rep and Chair: Grant Cleland ONZM
Grant has worked in the health, disability, education and employment sectors for over 30 years at governance, senior leadership and practitioner levels. Based in Christchurch he brings lived experience of disability from birth and uses a wheelchair.
Grant has worked extensively in the vocational and tertiary education sector with the development and implementation of Disability Action Plans and was also on the NZQA board. Grant has a thorough understanding of the issues that disabled tamariki, rangatahi and other learners face in our education system and the systemic issues that need to be resolved. He was the project lead for the drafting of the 'Kia Orite Toolkit, TEC 2020: A framework to assist tertiary and vocational providers to create and implement Disability Action Plans'. He also wrote the Te Pūkenga report, 'Te Rito: Insights of the experiences of Disabled Ākonga (Learners) in vocational education'. He has also provided strategic advice and support to tertiary and vocational providers on the implementation of their disability action plans. Grant was also Chief Executive of Workbridge for more than 9 years.
Sector Rep: Dr Barbara Disley ONZM
Barbara is the former Chief Executive of Emerge Aotearoa. She has extensive leadership and management experience leading large teams within the education and mental health sectors.
Barbara has held many senior public positions including chair of the first Mental Health Commission and Deputy Secretary Ministry of Education where she was responsible for learning support (formerly known as special education).
Sector Rep: Dr Kiri Fortune (He uri nō Te Āti Awa me Kāi Tahi)
Kiri has lived experience as the mother of a daughter Te Ahupō who was born with Down Syndrome. Te Ahupō is a raukura (graduate) of kura kaupapa Māori education and speaks te reo Māori as her first language. The whānau journey has been represented in Kiri’s PhD titled: 'E kore e piri te uku ki te rino: He huarahi hei tautoko i ngā ākonga hauā i roto i ngā horopaki reo Māori. The Pathways Forward in Supporting Māori Learners with Special Needs in Māori Medium Education Settings'.
Kiri has experience across all education sectors from kōhanga reo through to tertiary education. Her leadership role as Kaihautū Whakarito for Ngā Kura ā Iwi requires her to lead, develop and execute a strategic plan across 50 kura reo Māori to create change. She also has broad experience through her contribution and membership on many advisory groups and boards.
Sector Rep: Adjunct Associate Professor Sonja Macfarlane (Ngāti Waewae, Ngāi Tahu) PhD, FRSNZ
Sonja is an Adjunct Associate Professor in Te Kaupeka Mātauranga Faculty of Education, Te Whare Wānanga o Waitaha Canterbury University. She researches and writes about culturally responsive, evidence-based approaches in education, health, psychology and counselling.
Sonja’s work has been published in leading research journals nationally and internationally. She has national awards for her contribution to Māori research and in 2019 was made a Fellow of the New Zealand Psychological Society. Sonja’s academic excellence and leadership is founded on her experience as a teacher and resource teacher in learning and behaviour.
Update 07/05/2025: Dr Macfarlane withdrew from the education working group. She remained committed to the intent of the work but changed circumstances meant she could not commit the time needed for the mahi.
All the working groups at their introduction on 11 April benefited from Sonja’s presentation on He Awa Whiria (Braided Rivers) which was developed by her late husband Prof Angus Macfarlane. Sonja presented He Awa Whiria as an approach to progressing the strategy work programmes in a way that affirms tāngata whaikaha Māori knowledge and aspirations alongside other disabled peoples’ knowledge and aspirations. Sonja looks forward to reading the reports that will be developed by the working groups. As Sonja was one of three sector representatives on the education working group it will not be necessary at this stage to replace Sonja with another education sector representative.
Community Rep: Dorothy Taare-Smith (Ngāti Porou)
Dorothy is deeply committed to supporting whānau as they navigate the complexities of the disability sector. She brings extensive experience in special education, advocacy, and system-level transformation, with a strong focus on culturally grounded and inclusive practices.
Dorothy holds postgraduate qualifications in Specialist Teaching (ASD) and has worked as a specialist teacher supporting disabled learners. She is the founder of Taonga Takiwātanga Charitable Trust in Tairāwhiti Gisborne. The Trust partnered with Te Mahau – Te Tāhuhu o te Mātauranga Ministry of Education to deliver marae-based wānanga on takiwātanga (autism from a te Ao Māori perspective) to fostering culturally responsive practice in education.
Dorothy is doing a PhD in Health Studies at Te Herenga Waka – Victoria University of Wellington on how neurodiversity is understood within Te Ao Māori and the implications for clinical practice.
Community Rep: Nikita Van Dijk
Nikita is completing her Masters in Disability and Inclusion Studies at the University of Waikato. Her lived experience is through living with two rare disorders, chronic illness, neurodivergence and her disabled whānau members.
Nikita has leadership experience in a variety of roles including as the founder of the University of Waikato Disabled Students Association. She is now the Co-President of the National Disabled Students Association.
Nikita’s lived experience is complemented by her study, her advocacy for other disabled people, and her experience as the former Youth Ambassador for Ehlers Danlos Syndromes New Zealand, and as a representative for Aotearoa New Zealand at a UNESCO summit on supporting students with rare disorders in education. Nikita is also a member of the Ministry of Education Te Mahau Advisory Group for Young Persons with Disabilities.
The group also included representatives from the Ministry of Education.
Employment working group members
Sector Rep and Chair: Lorraine Toki (Ngāpuhi)
Lorraine has worked in leadership roles supporting hapū and iwi development. Lorraine has a background in community economic development, holds a master’s degree in management and is currently the lead advisor to the Iwi Chairs Forum – Pou Tangata. She is an advocate for Māori on many kaupapa involving justice, health, social services, organisational policy development and Te Tiriti o Waitangi.
Community Rep: Jason Boberg
Jason is a proud disabled person who draws strength from the disability community he often represents. Through his professional and personal life, he has been dedicated to advocating for disability rights from the grassroots level to the United Nations.
As the co-founder and Director at Activate, a disability- led consultancy, Jason has championed inclusive employment practices, advising businesses, local government, and organisations on removing barriers for disabled people. Jason has been a member of the Disabled Persons Assembly’s National Executive Committee and the Auckland Council Disability Advisory Panel. He was a founder of the Sustained Ability Disability and Climate Network and continues to take a leadership role at international conferences and summits for the United Nation’s Framework Convention on Climate Change.
Community Rep: David Corner
David has lived experience and is an advocate for intellectually disabled people. He is the National Advisor in the IHC Self Advocacy Team. As an experienced advocate and representative of people with an intellectual disability David has been a valued participant and contributor to groups such as the New Zealand Health and Disability Commissioner Consumer Advisory Group, the Community Connections Board, the Asia-Pacific Inclusion International Council and the Ombudsman Disability Advisory Panel.
David has been awarded Life Membership of People First Aotearoa and Inclusion International.
“I have an intellectual disability and I am passionate and committed to ensuring that other people with an intellectual disability have an ordinary life and can speak up for themselves and have their say and have their voices heard.”
Community Rep: Andrew Hall
Andrew is a wheelchair user with a strong background of working in the health system and of developing vocational rehabilitation and peer support programmes for people with spinal cord injury. Andrew is the father of a disabled 21-year-old and has additional experience of navigating and accessing services for his son. Andrew is also an IT specialist with many years of work in the health system.
Andrew has extensive involvement in organisational governance roles typically in finance and recruitment/human resources subcommittees. He is director of the New Zealand Rugby Foundation, vice-president of the Australia New Zealand Spinal Cord Society, deputy chair of the Burwood Academy Trust, a founding trustee of the Pacific Disability Support Trust and serves on the Ombudsman’s Office Disability Advisory Panel (Te Rōpū Kaiārahi Hauātanga). Andrew is also the National Programme Manager of the New Zealand Spinal Trust
Sector Rep: Phil O’Reilly ONZM
Phil is Managing Director of Iron Duke Partners and prior to that was CEO of Business New Zealand for 11 years. Iron Duke Partners is a government relations and public policy advisory firm. Business New Zealand is the country’s large advocacy group for businesses engaging regularly with Government, community groups, Ministers, and MPs.
Phil has acted in a governance or advisory capacity for local and international organisations on issues of trade, sustainability, diversity, pay equity, manufacturing, tertiary education, child poverty and the future of work. Previously, he was a member of the Governing Body of the International Labour Organisation, based in Geneva, and Chair of Business at the OECD.
The group also included representatives from the Ministry of Social Development (MSD).
Health working group members
Sector Rep and Chair: Dr Josephine Herman
Dr Herman is a public health physician and general practitioner who holds a PhD in epidemiology from the University of Auckland. In 2023, she received the Pasifika Medical Association Life Member Award for her contribution to Pacific Health. Dr Herman was appointed as the Secretary (Director General) of Health for the Cook Islands Ministry of Health in June 2018 and helped lead the national emergency health response to COVID-19. She was appointed Director of Pacific Health at Waitemata District Health Board in 2021.
In 2024, she was appointed Chief Clinical Advisor for Pacific Health, with the Pacific Health Directorate, Public health Agency, Manatū Hauora Ministry of Health.
Community Rep: Mark Benjamin QSM
Mark has ongoing personal involvement with the health system as he has a degenerative spinal condition that requires chronic pain management.
Based in Riwaka Nelson, Mark has been involved in multiple disability leadership and advisory groups. Participation in research and evaluation processes over many years means that Mark has heard thousands of personal stories of how society, public services and disability services create barriers to disabled New Zealanders having a good life.
Mark’s involvement with the National Enabling Good Lives and the Insights Alliance keeps him informed on the tensions and issues disabled people face in gaining fair access to the health system.
Community Rep: Dr Sally Britnell
Sally is a registered nurse with extensive clinical experience in emergency care and infection control. Having witnessed the inequities disabled people face in getting healthcare her PhD, in computing and mathematics, focused on how digital innovation can improve outcomes for marginalised populations. As a Senior Lecturer and Senior Research Fellow at Auckland University of Technology, Sally integrates digital health and informatics into nursing education and teaches in health across disciplines. Her research and supervision span health practice, digital health, computer science, accessibility and workforce development.
Sally is Deafblind and has held leadership and advisory roles with Health Informatics New Zealand, Blind Low Vision NZ, the Deafblind Association of NZ, the W3C Mobile Accessibility Task Force and St John.
Sector Rep: Dr Tristram Ingham (Ngāti Kahungunu, Ngāti Porou) KSO ONZM
Dr Ingham is an Associate Professor at the University of Otago. He is a medical epidemiologist with expertise in addressing health inequities, especially within Māori health, long-term conditions, disability rights, and healthcare governance. He is also a board member of the Te Tāhu Hauora Health Quality & Safety Commission and Chairperson of the Foundation for Quality and Research New Zealand and Te Ao Mārama Aotearoa.
Tristram has muscular dystrophy and is a well-known leader in the disability community. His commitment and advocacy for equality of opportunity and fair access to quality services for tāngata whaikaha Māori is valued by many and has achieved progress for all disabled people in Aotearoa New Zealand.
Community Rep: Tainafi Lefono
Tainafi is from Auckland and has lived experience of disability and professional experience as a physiotherapist and clinical advisor.
Tainafi’s work has included professional roles at ACC, Enable NZ, and in the public health sector assessing rehabilitation needs and advocating for appropriate support.
Tainafi has contributed to research on disability and healthcare including a Health Research Council-funded study on the information needs of Pasifika individuals with spinal cord injuries. This research strengthened his understanding of how disability, culture, and healthcare intersect, ensuring policies reflect diverse community needs.
The group also included representatives from the Ministry of Health and Health New Zealand.
Housing working group members
Community rep and Chair: Daniel Clay (Ngāti Whātua)
Daniel has experienced the challenges and opportunities faced by young disabled people through his 12-year-old daughter who has cerebral palsy and is a wheelchair user. Daniel is on the board of directors of the Cerebral Palsy Society of NZ Inc and is currently President and Chair.
Daniel is Chief Executive of an iwi-owned investment entity which operates in the housing sector partnering with national housing developers and working with organisations such as Kāinga Ora and the Ministry of Housing and Urban Development. Prior to his current role, Daniel was a practising lawyer for 20 years, holding partnership positions with two national law firms for 10 years. His legal specialties included public law, local government, and environmental and planning law.
Sector Rep: Ali Hamlin-Paenga (Te Aitanga ā Mahaki, Ngāti Kahungunu)
Ali is Chief Executive of Te Matapihi which is an independent, national body advocating for Māori housing, assisting with policy development, and supporting the sector's growth by providing advice, facilitating collaboration, and sharing resources and information.
Prior to her role as the CEO of Te Matapihi Ali was the Chair of the Te Matapihi board taking on the CEO role to reset the organisation. She was the CEO of Ngati Kahungungu ki Poneke and Poua ki Raro Community Housing and is also currently the Chair of the Australasian Housing Institute New Zealand branch.
Community Rep: Renata Kotua (Ngāti Toa Rangatira)
Renata brings significant experience in governance and leadership roles. As an advocate for disabled people, she provides consultation to client organisations and is training workshop facilitator. Renata works as a disability and inclusion consultant for Mind Matters, a workplace psychology firm. She draws on her lived experience as hine whaikaha Māori navigating the health system, pursuing an education, facing the many challenges of working and finding suitable accessible accommodation.
Renata has Congenital Cerebral Palsy, which affects her gait, balance, coordination, and ability to walk long distances. She is driven to improve outcomes, combat stereotypes, and shift societal assumptions about what disabled people can achieve.
Renata has a special interest in psychology and in wellbeing from a Te Ao Māori perspective. Her previous and current governance and leadership roles include Vice President of the Cerebral Palsy Society, Disability Advisor for Auckland Council, and trustee positions with Whaikaha and Your Way Kia Roha.
Renata has supported research projects focused on reducing inequity for disabled people, including in the areas of driving, ageing, and reproductive health, collaborating with institutions such as the University of Auckland, The Liggins Institute, the Starship Foundation, Donald Beasley Institute, Te Kupenga Hauora Māori, and the NZ Cerebral Palsy Register.
Sector Rep: Geoff Penrose
Geoff has been General Manager of Lifemark since 2014 and is a member of CCS Disability Action’s national leadership team. Lifemark was established in 2008 to promote Universal Design principles of adaptability, accessibility, usability, safety and lifetime value in this country.
Prior to Lifemark, Geoff was the Chief Executive of Qualmark New Zealand and was also a business consultant in Europe, Asia and the Pacific. Since 2011, Geoff has volunteered for Global Sustainable Tourism Council’s assurance panel. The council is a United Nation’s initiative to establish and manage sustainable tourism standards across six continents.
Community Rep: Christine Potts
Christine is disabled and acknowledges the diversity of lived experience across the disability community. Based in the Bay of Plenty, Christine has experience of the disability sector within government departments such as Enabling Good Lives at the Ministry of Social Development, the Office for Disability Issues, DSS at the Ministry of Health and within non-government organisations such as CCS Disability Action. While Regional Manager for CCS Disability Action in Te Tai Tokerau she established the Whangarei Accessible Housing Trust. In Waikato Christine coordinated Council housing for older people and later managed home support services for older people across Waikato and Bay of Plenty for a community provider.
The group also included representatives from Housing and Urban Development Te Tūāpapa Kura Kainga (HUD), Kāinga Ora and the Ministry of Business, Innovation & Employment (MBIE)
Justice working group members
Community Rep and Chair: Paul Gibson QSO
Paul has lived experience of disability, is the partner of a disabled person, and parent of two adult daughters, one of whom is disabled.
Paul has been a strong and skilled advocate for disabled people and their rights. He was the Disability Rights Commissioner at Human Rights Commission for more than five years and was a Commissioner for the Royal Commission of Inquiry into Abuse in State Care and in the Care of Faith Based Institutions. Paul has policy analysis skills and a history of involvement in the disability community, including being on the first New Zealand Disability Strategy reference group.
Paul is the Chief Executive of VisAble a disabled person-led organisation working to strengthen national capabilities across agencies and sectors to prevent and respond to the violence, abuse and neglect affecting disabled people and their whānau.
Community Rep: Tarewa Cowan (Ngāti Kahungunu, Ngāti Porou and Tahitian/Cook Island descent)
Tarewa has worked in the disability sector for almost five years. Based in Auckland, Tarewa grew up around her kaumatua and kuia who were kāpō (blind) and had other disabilities, and her partner is kāpo.
Tarewa’s work as the co-ordinator/leader of a youth/rangatahi tāngata whaikaha group, as the board secretary of Te Kahui Tumuaki (Kāpō Māori Aotearoa), and in her day-to-day working with rangatahi, pakeke, takatapuhi, and kaumatua in the community, enable her to give voice to the experience of tāngata whaikaha Māori.
Sector Rep: Dr Huhana Hickey (Ngāti Tāhinga, Waikato and Whakatōhea Ngāti Ira) MNZM
Huhana is an academic, disability rights lawyer and disability advocate. She has multiple sclerosis and was the first openly disabled Housing New Zealand board member and is an unflinching advocate for whānau hauā and all disabled people. Huhana is a member of the New Zealand Human Rights Review Tribunal and became a member of the New Zealand Order of Merit in 2015 for services to people with disabilities.
Community Rep: Ruth Jones (Ngati Porou, Rongowhakāta) QSM
Ruth has been part of the disability sector for more than 30 years. She is a registered social worker with lived experience of disability.
Ruth has held a variety of national governance positions, including chair of the Workbridge Board, member of the Disability Coalition Against Violence, and co-chair of the design group for the redress for Survivors of Abuse in State and Faith-based Care. She is currently a member of the Ministerial Advisory Board for Oranga Tamariki; TAMA the Iwi Māori Partnership Board for the Ngāi Tahu takiwā, Te Tauraki; and is Chair of Disability Leadership Canterbury.
Sector Rep: Professor Ian Lambie ONZM
Ian has more than 30 years’ experience as a psychologist for children and adolescents. As both a clinical psychologist and academic, he has worked with government departments including the New Zealand Fire Service, Police, Department of Corrections and Oranga Tamariki, as well as community groups.
Ian is Chief Science Advisor for the justice sector, which spans the Ministry of Justice, Police and Department of Corrections, and advises government on ways to improve the justice system.
The group also included representatives from the Ministry of Justice and Police New Zealand.