Mojo Mathers MNZM appointed Chief Executive of Disabled Persons Assembly

Disabled Persons Assembly NZ -

DPA is excited to announce that disability rights advocate Mojo Mathers MNZM, has been appointed as Chief Executive of DPA.

We look forward to her leadership of DPA during such an important time for our community. Mojo brings a strong commitment to justice, disability rights, and Te Tiriti o Waitangi to the role, which is essential for DPA's mission to drive systemic change for the equity of disabled people.

Mojo's proven and long-standing commitment to upholding the rights of disabled people, and valuable understanding of the machinery of government, will be great assets to DPA.

– Joanne Dacombe, DPA National President

From Mojo:

Kia ora koutou,

I am honoured to be appointed as your CE for DPA. I have been asked to share a bit about myself by way of an introduction.

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.

I look forwards to settling into my new role in DPA over the next few weeks and then reaching out to members to explore opportunities to grow our collective voice so that we can ensure that we are heard by decision makers across both central and local government and wider.

Ngā mihi nui,

Mojo Mathers