Welcoming DPA's newest staff member

We'd like to take this opportunity to welcome Patti Poa to our team as the Policy Advisor for the Auckland region.

Thank you, Patti for taking the time to introduce yourself – we're looking forward to working with you.

Tēnā koutou katoa, ka tīmata au ki te wehenga o Ranginui rāua ko Papatūānuku. I muri i tō rāua wehenga, i pērā rawa te kaha o te riri me te pōuri o Tāwhirimātea, i tīkarohia e ia ōna mata, ka makaina ai ki runga, ki a Ranginui, hei tohu i tōna aroha me tōna mamae. Mai i te tīmatanga, tae noa ki tēnei ra – e heke iho ngā tini roimata o Ranginui i te maunga Te Tarai o Rahiri, e rere te awa Mangakahia ki te marae Nukutawhiti, e pā ana ngā wai i te whenua o Papatūānuku mo te waiora o ngā hapū Ngāti Horahia me te Ngāti Toki. Ko Ngāpuhi te iwi, ko Ngātokimatawhaorua te waka, ko Patti Poa tōku ingoa.  No reira, kia ora mai tātou katoa.

I am Ngāpuhi and an indigenous and disabled community advocate from Te Tai Tokerau. I’m Mana Hauā (Māori disabled) and wrote a policy highlighting the needs of Māori disabled. I’ve forged and navigated a unique career path that aspires to uphold a kaupapa driven by a legacy of servant leadership. This taonga passed to me by my tupuna is to grow and strengthen their vision of a thriving Aotearoa New Zealand.
 
My interest of creating disabled leadership is from an attitude founded on values of respect, trust and integrity for the communities I serve.  My track record in both professional and personal experience in disability, governance, education, health and business shows my commitment to disability leadership and to live and thrive in Aotearoa.