Rāwā Karetai Wood-Bodley (ko ia/ia/tāna | they/them/he/him) is of Kai Tahu, Kāti Māmoe, Waitaha, and Ngāti Maniapoto descent, offering a rich intersectional perspective that profoundly informs their work. As a Tangata Whaikaha |Disabled Māori and a member of the Takatāpui | Rainbow Community, Rāwā’s lived experiences provide invaluable insights into the intersections of disability, Indigenous identity, and LGBTQIA+ human rights. Residing in rural North Canterbury, Rāwā is deeply committed to advancing intersectionality, particularly in relation to disability, Indigenous rights, and LGBTQIA+ issues. With a wealth of experience in strategy, leadership, and governance, they have served as principal advisor to various chief executives and deputy chief executives, focusing on policy, strategy, planning, leadership, governance, and partnership mahi. Currently, Rāwā represents New Zealand on the ILGA Oceania Board and contributes to several influential groups, including the Waitaha Disability Steering Group, the Waitaha Enabling Good Lives Regional Leadership Group, and the Pegasus Health Advisory Board. Rāwā’s previous roles include: Working closely with the UN Special Rapporteur on Human Rights for issues of sexual orientation and gender identity. Serving as the bisexual representative on the ILGA World Board. Holding leadership positions such as Co-Chair of the Christchurch Heroes Inclusive Sports Trust and Chair of Rainbow Wellington. They also led the successful Marriage Equality Campaign in 2013, a significant milestone in the fight for LGBTQIA+ rights. Their instrumental role in this campaign is a source of pride, as it contributed to a historic moment in New Zealand’s social and political landscape. Rāwā is a visionary leader with a strong track record of building and leading multidisciplinary teams to achieve meaningful outcomes for the communities they serve. A deep commitment to people drives their work, and they have consistently demonstrated their ability to advise senior leaders on complex service delivery and operational issues, particularly in the health sector.
