Call for NEC nominations
DPA is conducting its annual ballot for the election of members to its National Executive Committee. Authority for the ballot is contained in Clause 28 of the DPA Constitution.
On this page
Vacant NEC positions
The Disabled Persons Assembly (NZ) Inc is calling for nominations for:
- two (2) National Executive Committee Elected Members.
Nominations close: Tuesday 27 October 2026
How to nominate a DPA member for NEC 2026
Note: if you have questions or need support with these processes, please email elections@dpa.org.nz
If you would like to nominate a DPA member for the National Executive Committee, you will need to:
- Ask the person you want to nominate if they are happy to be nominated for a position on the NEC
- Complete the Nomination Form
- Ask the person you nominated to complete the Nominee Form.
- Submit the completed form.
Ways to complete the forms
To complete the nomination and nominee forms, you can:
- fill out the forms online
- download and email to: elections@dpa.org.nz
- print and post to: PO Box 27524, Marion Square, Wellington 6141
If posting, please consider time taken to deliver the mail.
Nominations close 5pm, Tuesday 27 October 2026.
Voting will take place from Tuesday 3 November to Tuesday 1 December 2026.
For any questions, please email: elections@dpa.org.nz
Who can be nominated
The person you are nominating for NEC (the nominee) must be:
- a full (voting) individual member, or
- the representative of a full organisation member, or
- a representative of a full family member of DPA.
They must have also been a member for at least 6 months and must have accepted the code of conduct. There is a significant time commitment involved to being a member of NEC.
The person you nominate must accept their nomination by filling out the separate nominee form.
Who can make a nomination
To nominate a member for the NEC you must be:
- a full (voting) individual member, or
- the representative of a full organisation member, or
- a representative of a full family member of DPA.
Please contact members@dpa.org.nz if you have any questions about your membership.
What are the skills we need for NEC
Nominations from people with the following skills or experience are particularly encouraged:
- governance - knowing how to help lead and oversee an organisation
- risk management - knowing how to identify and manage things that could go wrong
- financial expertise - understanding budgets and financial reports
- legal knowledge
- systemic advocacy - knowing how to advocate to change policies and laws to advance disabled people's rights.
What NEC changes will there be in 2026
The current National Executive Committee members are:
- President: Kera Sherwood-O’Regan
- Incoming President: Juliana Carvalho
- Elected members: David King and Tara Shepherd
- Appointed members: Joanne Dacombe and Scott Boyle
At the 2026 AGM on Saturday 5 December 2026, the NEC membership will change.
- Juliana Carvalho begins her term as President
- Kera Sherwood-O’Regan becomes Immediate Past President
- David King and Tara Shepherd continue their terms as Elected Members
- Joanne Dacombe and Scott Boyle finish their term as Appointed Members.
At the end of the AGM, the NEC members will be:
- President: Juliana Carvalho
- Immediate Past President: Kera Sherwood-O'Regan
- Remaining elected members (2): David King and Tara Shepherd
- New elected members (2): Two members elected at the AGM
Voting will take place from Tuesday 3 November to Tuesday 1 December 2026.
The Returning Officer will announce the result at the AGM.