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Ko wai mātou
Our people

A professional photo of the DBI team at the 2024 Matariki hui. From left to right is Eden, Lydie Kelly, Wally, Ash, Jacinta, Brigit, Umi, Julia,, Solmaz, Lana, Robbie, and Hine.

ABOUT
THE
TEAM

We are a team of disabled and non-disabled disability researchers from across Aotearoa New Zealand. We are culturally diverse, and bring a range of lived and intersectional experiences to our work. We proudly support new and emerging disabled researchers to build knowledge, skills and capacity.

The DBI team is committed to Te Tiriti o Waitangi and honours Te Tiriti with support from our Māori leadership, our Kaumatua, and our Board of Trustees.

A professional headshot of Brigit Mirfin-Veitch. Brigit is a Pākehā women with blonde hair and wearing a green shirt.

Assoc. Prof. Brigit Mirfin-Veitch

Kaiuruki Matua
Director

(Kāti Pākehā)

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A professional headshot of Kelly Tikao. Kelly is a wahine Māori and she is wearing a green patterned shirt, detailed gold earrings, a beautiful pounamu necklace, and is smiling at the camera. In th

Dr Kelly Tikao

Kairakahau Matua Māori
Māori Research Lead

(Waitaha, Kāti Māmoe, Kāi Tahu)

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A professional headshot of Robbie Francis Watene. Robbie is a Pākehā woman and is wearing a dark green dress and long earrings, she is smiling.

Dr Robbie Francis Watene

Kairakahau Matua Whaikaha
Disabled Research Lead

(Kāti Pākehā)

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A professional headshot of Umi Asaka. Umi is a Japanese woman, she has long black hair and is wearing a dark green kimono. She is smiling.

Umi Asaka

Kairakahau, Kaiwhakahaere akoraka
Research and Education

(Kāti Hapani (Japanese))

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A professional headshot of Solmaz Nazari Orakani. Solmaz is Persian woman, she has blonde hair, is wearing a light grey jumper and smiling.

Dr. Solmaz Nazari Orakani

Kairakahau
Researcher

(Kāti Pāhia (Persian))

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A professional headshot of Eden Cruice. Eden is a Samoan and Pākehā woman, she has dark brown hair, is wearing a green jacket over a black shirt and is smiling.

Eden Cruice

Kairakahau
Researcher

(Kāti Hāmoa, Kāti Pākehā)

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A professional headshot of Jacinta Tevaga. Jacinta is a Samoan woman, she has black hair and is wearing a red dress with traditional Pacific patterns and is smiling.

Jacinta Tevaga

Kairakahau
Researcher

(Kāti Hāmao (Samoan))

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our people wally noble donald beasley institute dunedin new zealand

Wally Noble

Kairakahau
Researcher

(Ngāpuhi, Ngāti Kahu)

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Professional headshot of Ash Beales. Ash is a Pākehā nonbinary person. They are wearing a green blazer and a black shirt and smiling. They are also wearing a silver necklace and a pronoun pin.

Ash Beales

Kairuruku me te Pārokoroko
Research & Communications

(Kāti Pākehā)

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A professional headshot of Lulu Harding. Lulu is a Pākehā woman, her hair is white, and she's wearing a floral dress and red glasses. She is smiling.

Lulu Reeves

Kaiwhakahaere Taituarā
Executive Assistant

(Kāti Pākehā)

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A professional headshot of Julia Young. Julia is a Pākehā woman, she has brown hair, is wearing a green sweater and is smiling.

Julia Young

Kairuruku
Research Assistant

(Kāti Pākehā)

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Governance