Mojo Mathers

She/her

Chief Executive

I was born in the UK where I spent my early childhood and attended Mary Hare School, a boarding school for profoundly deaf children which had a strong focus on oralism.  My mother’s family are from the County Durham region in the Northeast of England. My paternal grandfather's family were originally Ashkenazi Jews from Poland.

My family emigrated to Heretaunga/Hastings in 1981 where my sister and I attended Karamu High School.  In 1985 I moved to Ōtautahi/Christchurch where I completed two degrees and had three children.

My previous roles have included being Strategic Policy Advisor between 2006 - 2011, NZ’s first deaf Member of Parliament between 2011-2017 and Policy Coordinator for DPA since 2019. In 2019 I was awarded a MNZM for services to disabled people. I also hold the disability portfolio on the tauiwi caucus of TOAH-NNEST .

I currently live with my partner Don, dog Kea and around 15 goats in Peel Forest – a tiny rural settlement in South Canterbury near the forested slopes of Huatakerekere (Little Mount Peel).

I am passionate about upholding the rights of tāngata whaikaha Māori and disabled people and interested in how best DPA can honor both Te Tiriti and the UNCRPD in our work.

Michael Nolan

He/him

Business Manager

I'm based in Christchurch and joined DPA as Business Manager in November 2023. I’m a passionate advocate for disability rights and accessibility, drawing from my lived experience with Becker Muscular Dystrophy.

Moving into a Powerchair transformed my life, granting me new independence and underscoring the importance of accessible services.

My advocacy is both local and international; I’ve seen how other countries approach accessibility and inclusion. Currently, I chair the West Coast Disability Steering Group and bring over 20 years of volunteer governance experience in tourism, community groups, and Civil Defence.

My background in Marketing, HR, and Event Management supports my dedication to advancing disability rights and building community resilience for all.

Pip Townsend

She/her

Communications and Engagement Manager

I live in Whanganui a Tara (Wellington) and joined the DPA team in April 2023 as the Communications Coordinator and moved into the Communications and Engagement Manager position in December 2023.

I've been working in communications and publishing for over 20 years now, and over time have developed a passion for advocating for accessible communications, particularly plain language, translations and alternate formats. Accessing information is at the core of informed decision-making and inclusion.

I particularly enjoy the collaborative way we work at DPA, and the wide range of experiences and insights my colleagues bring to our work everyday. No two days are the same.

Patti Poa

Policy Advisor

I am an Indigenous disabled takatāpui community advocate based in Taitokerau.

Professionally and personally, my work focus is on whanau hauā, Deaf, mental health, chronic illness, neurodiverse and political disability groups. My background is in employment, education, public health, business and kaupapa Māori organisations.

I work within Te Ao Māori to create greater inclusion and understanding of disabled people and our representative organisations. I founded a Taitokerau disability social event club with her Pākeha disabled partner Adam to combat social isolation which is a work in progress.

I hope to bring my skills, experience, background and people connections to DPA to serve our vision of a society where all disabled people lead in their own lives and in their community.

Chris Ford

He/him

Policy Advisor – Southern and Central

Based in Ōtepoti Dunedin, I am a policy advisor specialising in both central and local government.

I was born in Balclutha and raised both in the small South Otago rural community of Paretai and in Otepoti Dunedin.

My background is in disability rights activism, policy analysis, freelance writing and research.

As one of our policy team, I craft our submissions to local councils, government agencies, organisations and parliament on issues from a disability rights perspective.

Of the current DPA team, I am one of the longest serving staff members, first joining the team as Ōtepoti Dunedin Kaituitui (Community Connector) in 2013.

I began working at DPA after having served in a variety of committee roles, including on the National Executive Committee, after having first joined in 1991.

I was educated at The Taieri High School (Mosgiel) and University of Otago (Dunedin) where I acquired undergraduate and postgraduate degrees in political studies and history.

In my spare time, I enjoy reading, writing, swimming, public speaking, politics/current affairs, astronomy, listening to music, watching movies/documentaries and being with friends and family/whānau.

Miriam O'Connor

Regional News Coordinator

As Regional News Coordinator, I edit Ōtautahi Christchurch and Ōtepoti Dunedin newsletters, and help update news on Facebook.

Ever since leaving New Zealand aged 18 to live in a French community of people with learning disabilities, I have combined my interest in communication with a passion for inclusion and human rights.

That’s led me to learn and teach French, Mandarin and English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL). I’ve also worked in newspapers and am a qualified interpreter.

Since 2012, I have been dedicated to making accessible and engaging local DPA newsletters that highlight the voices and stories of our community.

Ingrid Robertson

Kaituitui Ōtautahi

I was born in Christchurch and over the years lived and worked as a Secretary in Christchurch, Palmerston North, England, Dunedin, and Nelson.

In 1994 I found my niche working in the Security Industry Monitoring Alarms. I did this in NZ and Northern Ireland. I came home in 2006 to be with Mum and Dad as Mum had Alzheimer’s. It was great to be back home and slotted into Security again.

After over 20 years in the Security Industry, in 2018 circumstances changed, which led me to Disabled Persons Assembly. I work part time in the role as the Kaituitui (weavers who stitch together many threads of knowledge in their community).

I have been the Southern Hemisphere Coordinator for Oceans of Hope Challenge NZ since 2017, which is a sailing challenge for people with Multiple Sclerosis. I am also the Chair for Sailability Canterbury which we are currently in the process of starting up. Our aim for both of these is to help people gain self-confidence and a renewed sense of empowerment.

I have been a Rotarian for 16 years and am on the MSNZ Executive Committee as an Independent member.

Amy Taylor

Kaituitui Ōtepoti

Ko Amy Taylor tōku ingoa. I live in beautiful Ōtepoti. I came to Dunedin in 2010 to complete a PhD at Otago University. There I met my wonderful husband and decided to stay.

I live with POTS syndrome and mastocytosis. I use a power wheelchair outside of the home and a walking frame inside it. I have significant hearing loss and wear bilateral hearing aids. I am a parent, both my children live with ADHD.

In my role as Ōtepoti Kaituitui or community connector. I am deeply involved with the local disabled community, providers and decision makers and run informative workshops on topics of interest to the local disabled community.

Sharyn McCann

Finance Officer and IT Administrator

I'm the Finance Office and IT Administrator at DPA, based in Wellington, joining the DPA team in September 2014.

Outside of work, I like being by the ocean and immersed in nature - hiking, running and cycling - music, cooking and gardening.

Spending quality time with family and friends is also a priority.