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Te Rōpū Kaiārahi Hauātanga | Disability Advisory Panel

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Chief Ombudsman Peter Boshier has today launched a dedicated web page on the Ombudsman  NZ website to highlight his new disability advisory panel Te Rōpū Kaiārahi Hauātanga.

The panel of nine advisors informs the Chief Ombudsman in his work in the area of disability rights.

Each panel member brings their lived experience and expertise to this mahi and will help the Ombudsman make decisions that align with the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities 

The Chief Ombudsman acknowledges the importance of Article 4(3) of the Disability Convention and the disability community’s mantra ‘nothing about us without us’. 

The launch of the dedicated web page signifies the importance of the disability community to the Ombudsman’s office and the need to ensure that everything it does has the input and advice of all people it serves.

The Ombudsman is working to increase its profile within the disability community to ensure Tuia kia Ōrite – Fairness for All, is truly an inclusive concept.

Te Rōpū Kaiārahi had its first in-person meeting in June, after previous meetings were forced online by the COVID-19 pandemic.

The members are:

  • Dr Jonathan Godfrey ONZM, Senior Lecturer School of Fundamental Sciences Massey University | National President Blind Citizens NZ Sam Fitness, Youth Member / Student
  • Lara Draper, General Manager for Adult and Senior Services at Deaf Aotearoa 
  • Tania Kingi, Kairangahau at Te Roopu Waiora 
  • Leo McIntyre, Chairman Balance Aotearoa 
  • Maurice Priestley, Board Member CCS Disability Action
  • Mary Schnackenberg, Director AI Comms 
  • Natasha Swann, Youth Member / Member of Ngā Rōpu o Manaaki Tāngata (MTK) 
  • Pelenakeke Brown, Independent Artist

For more information, including a video interview with panel members, visit Te Rōpū Kaiārahi Hauātanga page.
 

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