Our team
We have put together a team of people across Aotearoa dedicated to making lives better for Disabled People.
Our team is trained to listen, support and make sure people’s voices are heard.
Northern Visit Team
Kelly
Regional Manager - Northern
I grew up in the Waikato and am a proud mother. I am passionate about raising the voices of disabled people and supporting their rights. I am committed to the Enabling Good Lives (EGL) approach and believe disabled people should have choice, control and the opportunity to live a good life.
Natasha
Kaiārahi (Visit Lead)
Kia ora, I'm a passionate disability advocate. Going to visits, meeting other people with disabilities and helping them to grow their own voice is everything to me. “Being able to make a difference.” “Everyone can communicate in their own way.”
Roz
Kaiārahi (Visit Lead)
Kia ora, I’m originally from South Africa and moved to Auckland in 2008. I enjoy going for walks, playing sports like football, and spending time with my friends. I enjoy being part of People for Us because I get to listen to people’s stories and support them to live a good life.
Ronnie
Kaiārahi (Visit Lead)
I'm a long-term member of People First NZ, former National Committee Chairperson and have represented People First internationally. I love this new journey that I have been on with People for Us and love working with the Auckland team.
Sharyn
Kaiārahi (Visit Lead)
Hello, I am from Tauranga. I enjoy doing pencil drawing, going for walks, going to the gym and travelling around my area. I enjoy being part of the People for Us team and visiting people. I enjoy making sure people have the chance to be heard.
Francesca
Kaiārahi (Visit Lead)
I'm studying towards a Master of Counselling and I love learning. I use my lived experience of neurodivergence to support others. In my spare time, I enjoy spending time in nature and engaging in performing arts.
Stephen
Kaiārahi (Visit Lead)
I have been working with disabled people for a long time. I have been involved with NorthAble Lynkz for many years and have also been a member of People First NZ for a long time. I took part in Special Olympics for many years and am now going back to volunteer with Special Olympics. In my spare time, I enjoy art and crafts.
Maree
Kōmitimiti (Visit Coordinator / Hybrid)
Kia ora! Originally from Putāruru, I now call Kirikiriroa home. I love spending quality time with people. I am passionate about making sure disabled people have a voice, equal access, and opportunities.
Tahleigha
Kaiāwhina (Visit Coordinator)
Kia ora, I'm Tahleigha, I am living in Te Awamutu, raising my son who is 6 years old and has ASD. I have a senior dog with disabilities, and we are a family that loves the outdoors, passionate about the living world and supporting people in need.
Mary
Kaiāwhina (Visit Coordinator)
Kia ora! I love bringing people together through food, storytelling and the arts. I have a background in facilitation, sociology and education. I am a passionate disability advocate and believe everyone deserves the opportunity to live a good life.
Kaysey
Kaiāwhina (Visit Coordinator)
I have been working in the disability sector for the past four years, and I love being part of a sector that supports people to live the lives they want. Before this, I worked in health coaching and counselling, where I also enjoyed supporting people to reach their goals and build confidence.
Karen
Kaiāwhina (Visit Coordinator)
Tēnā koutou katoa. Ko Mōtatau rāua ko Kāpōwai ngā maunga. Ko Waiomio rāua ko Waikare ngā awa. Ko Te Rapunga me Te Tūruki ngā marae. Ko Ngāti Hine me Te Kapotai ngā hapū. Ko Ngāpuhi te iwi. Ko Karen Cherrington ahau.
Maria
Kaiāwhina (Visit Coordinator)
Tēnā koe, I live in Rotorua with my husband, fourteen-year-old granddaughter and our cat. I enjoy baking with my granddaughter and mahi for our whānau trust. I have worked in disability for 30+ years. “Nothing about us without us” is my mantra.Central Visit Team
Saji
Regional Manager - Central
Kia ora, I am proud to call Wellington home. I enjoy community involvement and spending time with my family. I Love biking & fishing with kids and making the most of good weather. I am passionate about inclusion and disability rights.
Alyssa
Kaiārahi (Visit Lead)
I come from being a disabled person, living independently in a flat with cerebral palsy, and love working with people in residential homes. I have also had experience working in the disability sector myself as an advocate.
Carol-Ann
Kaiārahi (Visit Lead)
I have lived in Hastings for the past 10 years. I enjoy doing jigsaw puzzles, baking and listening to music. On weekends, I like going to church and spending time with the community. I also enjoy swimming in the summer and catching up with friends.
James
Kaiārahi (Visit Lead)
Kia ora! I like going for walks in the fresh air. I enjoy working for People for Us, as I like meeting new people and learning about their lives. In my downtime, I like playing on my PS5, and I am with Hutt Valley Special Olympics Ten Pin Bowling.
Hayden
Kōmitimiti (Visit Coordinator / Hybrid)
I have a lovely wife and two young boys. I love video games, trading card games, pop culture, anime, and Korean and Japanese culture.
Meredith
Kaiāwhina (Visit Coordinator)
Kia ora, I'm a mum of two disabled kids, late-diagnosed ADHDer and currently studying Disability Sector Leadership. I also host 'That's good to know' on Wellington Access Radio and am passionate about advocacy and inclusion.
Paula
Kaiāwhina (Visit Coordinator)
Kia ora, Sawasdee kha! My last name is from Thailand, but I grew up in Palmerston North and now live in Wellington. I like reading, visiting libraries, cycle touring, and supporting the Hurricanes! I enjoy my role assisting the kaiārahi and meeting new people.
Ellen-Marie
Kaiāwhina (Visit Coordinator)
I am a mum to a young man with autism, ADHD and a learning disability. I am passionate about supporting disabled people to speak up, have their voices heard, and advocate for a better life.
Lisa
Kaiāwhina (Visit Coordinator)
I am from Yorkshire and now live in Palmerston North. I have three daughters, and my youngest child has a disability. I like reading books, drinking tea, and visiting the beach. Most of all, I like meeting new people.
Cathryn
Kaiāwhina (Visit Coordinator)
I come from nursing and Early Childhood Education backgrounds and have lived with a long-term disability for 30 years. I value nature, art, family, friends, independence, and supporting disabled people.Southern Visit Team
Richard
Regional Manager - Southern
Kia ora! I was born and bred in Paroa, a small settlement just south of Greymouth on the West Coast. I now live in Ōtautahi/Christchurch and enjoy the outdoors, meeting new people and great coffee! I am passionate about inclusion for all.
David
Kaiārahi (Visit Lead)
I have lived in Dunedin my whole life and have years of experience speaking up for disabled people. I understand the disability system through my own experiences. I also enjoy walks and spending time in town.
Craig
Kaiārahi (Visit Lead)
Kia ora! I was born in Greymouth and have lived in Christchurch for over 20 years. I enjoy American football and cars, especially the Philadelphia Eagles. I love spending time with my wife and mates and am passionate about advocacy.
Abbey
Kaiārahi (Visit Lead)
Hi, I have lived in Christchurch most of my life. Some of the things I enjoy are hill walks, ducks and yummy food. I am passionate about supporting people to speak up for themselves and live the way they want and deserve to live.
Hamish
Kaiārahi (Visit Lead)
I've lived in Nelson for 25 years! In my spare time I like hanging out with my friends, listening to music and watching TV. I also like gardening and playing sports like golf, football basketball under Special Olympics.Keyra
Kaiārahi (Visit Lead)
Hi! I've lived in Dunedin almost all my life. I like to play and make video games, do art, and write. I have a huge passion for accessibility and am excited to help people express their needs and have their voice be heard!
Ellen
Kōmitimiti (Visit Hybrid)
Kia ora! I've lived in Kaiapoi, a small town just north of Christchurch, for my whole life. I love being creative through poetry, painting and photography. I am passionate about standing up with survivors of abuse and amplifying disabled voices.
Lee-ann
Kaiāwhina (Visit Coordinator)
Kia ora, I live on the Dunedin Peninsula and grew up near Lawrence (Central Otago) I have worked for People First for 9 years and I believe that every person should have a voice in what happens in their own lives.
Holland
Kaiāwhina (Visit Coordinator)
Kia ora! I'm from the US and moved to Christchurch in 2025. I love skiing, being outside, and spending time with friends and family. I'm passionate about supporting people to have choice, a strong voice and live a good life in their community.
Fleur
Kaiāwhina (Visit Coordinator)
Ngati Koata, Toarangitira. In my spare time, I love to spend time in nature, in my mara and with my whanau. I also enjoy doing all sorts of creative hobbies. I care deeply about doing meaningful mahi that upholds the mana and dignity of others.National Office
Gary
People for Us Manager
I'm a long-term Wellington resident living in Island Bay with my wife, daughter, and our border collie, Boots. I'm passionate about people leadership and making a difference. People for Us offers the perfect combination.
Melissa
Business Service Lead
I like Godzilla, K-Pop, video games and reading.
Jordan
Communications Lead
Kia ora, I’ve lived in Wellington all my life and have worked for People First NZ for three years. I enjoy working alongside disabled people to make sure the rights of people with learning disability are seen and heard. In my spare time, I like to hang out with friends, go rock climbing and make music.
Patrick
Training Manager & Supervision Lead
Kia ora. I have lived in Nelson with my wife and son since 2004. When I'm not at work, I love being in the outdoors and taking part in sports. I enjoy working for People First NZ and helping make a difference in people's lives and in our communities.
Sarah
Quality and Practice Lead
Kia ora! I was born in the UK, grew up in the USA and now live in Pāpāmoa. I enjoy hiking, waterfalls and being creative. It is a great to be part of this team that is lifting the voices of disabled people.