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Kāhui whaikaha

Roopu Whaikaha/Haua

Welcome to the Disabled Group page. My name is Amy Church and I am the Disability Coordinator for the Waitaha EGL Regional Leadership Group.​

On this page
Join us at our monthly Disabled Community Meetings

Each month we run a community meeting of disabled people. Disabled Representatives take the feedback and insights from this meeting to the Waitaha Regional Leadership Group(WRLG) for actioning.
 

All disabled people, their whānau or support people are welcome to attend to:
 

  • add your voice

  • connect with other disabled people​


The meetings are held at The Loft, Eastgate Mall from 3pm to 4.45pm on the second Wednesday of each month from February to November. Meetings are fully accessible and NZSL Interpreters are available - no membership is needed, and you can join regularly or just when you can.

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If you prefer you could join online using the following link (this is valid for the whole of 2026).:

Join the meeting now

Meeting ID: 491 179 017 847 37

Passcode: yx6KA97J

​Monthly meetings are open to all—no membership needed, join in person or online, regularly or just when you can.

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At the meetings we have:

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  • speakers

  • education sessions

  • an opportunity to raise and discuss disability community issues

  • updates from the WRLG

  • what’s happening in the community


See summaries of previous meetings here​​

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Keep up to date
Meet the Disabled Representatives
Amy Church (Coordinator)
email: disabilitycoordinator@eglwaitaha.org

Born and raised in North Canterbury Amy has long had a passion for educating and supporting the disabled community. During her professional life she has worked for CCS Disability Action, gained a Bachelor of Social Work (2011) and currently works for the Stroke Foundation as a Return to Work Advisor. The role of disability coordinator for WRLG is her newest role and allows her to continue to with these goals. Amy brings lived experience of disability since early childhood to her role which has aided her in connecting with others and understanding some of the hardships faced by the community. She currently lives in Rangiora with her young son and enjoys being a mum and getting involved with the local and wider Waitaha community.

Ingrid Robertson 

Born in Christchurch, Ingrid has dedicated her life to service, leadership, and empowering others. After working in secretarial and security roles across New Zealand and the UK—including more than 20 years in the security industry—Ingrid transitioned to the disability sector in 2019. She now works as Kaituitui and Administrator for Disabled Persons Assembly – Christchurch & Districts, a pan-impairment organisation led by and for disabled people. Her work supports systemic change through advocacy, connection, and the principles of Te Tiriti o Waitangi and Enabling Good Lives. ​ Ingrid is a passionate advocate for the MS community and serves as an Independent Member on the National Executive Board of Multiple Sclerosis NZ. She is also the Southern Hemisphere Coordinator for Oceans of Hope Challenge NZ, a sailing initiative designed to empower people living with MS by building confidence, connection, and a sense of freedom on the water. Ingrid is Chair and Trustee of Sailability Canterbury, which provides inclusive sailing opportunities for people with disabilities or impairments. Since launching in 2024, the group runs regular sailing sessions on Whakaraupō / Lyttelton Harbour, promoting well-being and accessibility through sport. A proud Rotarian since 2018, Ingrid first joined the Ferrymead Rotary Club and in 2023 became a member of the Ōtautahi Passport Rotary Club, continuing her lifelong commitment to giving back to her community.

Marty Van der Kley

My name is Marty Van der Kley. I am one of the disabled Reps on the WRLG. I have personal lived experience with disability myself and the personal challenges/adversity that I have had to navigate through myself has given me a great deal of insight into struggles faced by disabled people in today's society. I enjoy my Involvement in the WRLG as I get to work alongside a Team of like-minded people and help advocate for the EGL Approach to be guiding disability supports and services to enable them to be the best that they can be so that they are able to be utilised by disabled people and their families in ways that work for them. Some of my other Involvements within the disability space have included being involved in disability advocacy and lobbying in organizations such as: DPA Regional Executive Commitee both at a local and National level (including being the DPA Districts Vice-President for several years), Disability Awareness and Education Roles - with CCS Disability Action, NZ Speak Easy, Burwood Academy of Independent Living, Environment Canterbury - Accessibility Reference Group - for Public Transport within the Greater Christchurch Region - just to name a few. Outside of my disability work my Interests Include travelling to new places and destinations I haven't been, watching action packed movies and comedies and getting out and about making the most of life.

Hemi Hema 

Hemi was the Southern Regional Māori Liaison Officer for the Deaf Association of New Zealand in Christchurch until 2009, when he moved to Hamilton from Christchurch to be closer to his iwi and became President of Deaf Aotearoa, a role he held until 2011. Hemi has worked with Māori Deaf and their families to develop links between whanau and the marae and is dedicated to driving change to improve the outcomes for Māori Deaf in Aotearoa. Hemi was involved in the production of the New Zealand National Anthem DVD, God Defend New Zealand, performed in three national languages.

Hemi (on right) receiving his Queens Service Medal in 2012.

Hemi (on right) receiving his Queens Service Medal from Sir Jerry Mateparae in 2012.

Rāwā Karetai-Wood-Bodley

Rāwā Karetai-Wood-Bodley

Rāwā Karetai-Wood-Bodley

Rāwā Karetai-Wood-Bodley

Disabled Community newsletters

Rāwā Karetai-Wood-Bodley

Notes from Community Meetings
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