Our trustees

 Tristram R. Ingham is the Deputy Head of Department, Research Associate Professor and Clinical Epidemiologist in the Department of Medicine at the University of Otago - Wellington. Dr Ingham has clinical, academic, and governance expertise in addressing health inequities, Māori health, long-term conditions, disability rights and health care governance.
Tristram is the Chair of the Foundation for Equity and Research New Zealand and is co-chair of the My Life My Voice Charitable Trust. He also chairs Te Ao Mārama Aotearoa Trust and is a Board Member of Te Kāhū Hauora – Health Quality & Safety Commission. 

Bernadette is a registered general and obstetric nurse, and senior research fellow at the University of Otago Wellington. Her expertise is in Māori Health with areas of clinical, academic, and research interests in health equity, including: chronic respiratory conditions; health literacy; disability identity and rights; along with health and disability service delivery for tamariki, rangatahi, and whānau Māori. 

Bernadette is the Tāngata Whaikaha Māori Co-chair of the Insights Alliance for Whaikaha. She is also a member of Te Kahui Piringa – The Māori partnership board of Te Kāhū Hauora – Health Quality Safety Commission, and member of Te Āparangi – Māori Partnership Alliance to the regulatory directorate of Manatū Hauora.

Emma Draper graduated from Toi Whakaari in 2009.  She has since worked on a range of professional film, television, radio and theatre projects; both drama and comedy, including three seasons of TVNZ series Girl vs Boy, award winning telefeature Jean (Robert Sakies), cult comedy What We do In The Shadows (Taika Waititi and Jemaine Clement), Daffodils (David Stubbs), and Wellington Paranormal Season 2 (Jemaine Clement and Dean Hewison).  

‘Ko taku mana ko te ataarangi o ōku kawaitanga hei kahukōrako ki te hunga hauā’ - The reflections of my ancestry grounds and guides what I do.

Taki's introduction to disability began in 1985 as a kaitiaki through a head injury disabling his grandfather and his ability to live independently including tribal and cultural responsibilities. In 1989 Taki volunteered at the local day base of IHC where he has recently finished as their national Māori advisor. Taki has been a board member of Te Ao Mārama Aotearoa Trust since 2018. 

 Pip began her career as a hospital administrator, handling roles such as accounts management, administration, and patient record keeping within both public and private hospital systems. 

Over the years, she has honed her skills as a contractor, developing and researching databases, writing high-level strategic and compliance documents, and providing administration for a wide range of non-governmental organizations.

Her diverse experience also includes working in a care support role and enjoying a stint as a teacher aide.

Most recently, Pip worked as a community coordinator for another charitable organization, where she successfully grew membership and increased member engagement through a variety of in-person and online activities.

A passionate advocate for disabled communities, Pip thrives on challenges and is dedicated to building and maintaining strong relationships with individuals and organizations. 

A lifelong resident of Lower Hutt, Pip married the boy next door, and together they have an adult son and Summer, their much-loved deaf Dalmatian.

Outside of her role at FERNZ, Pip is an independent marriage celebrant. In her free time, she enjoys gardening, walking in the bush, exploring new places, engaging on Facebook, building Lego, binge-watching crime shows, and indulging in her latest obsession, diamond art.