Geraldine Woods

At the time of the hearing Geraldine Woods was the Acting Chief Executive of Whaikaha – Ministry of Disabled People. Geraldine was responsible for providing strategic leadership of the new agency and across the system. She has a long history of working to improve outcomes for disabled people. During the two years prior to the hearing, she was a Chief Advisor to the Health and Disability Review Transition Unit and also provided strategic advice to the Disabled People Establishment Unit. From 2014-2018 she was the Executive Director supporting the implementation of the National Disability Insurance Scheme in Queensland. From 2005-2010 she was the Deputy Director-General Disability Support Services at the Ministry of Health. Her evidence included an overview of the background to the establishment of Whaikaha and the outcomes it intends to achieve. 

Amanda Bleckmann

At the time of the hearing Amanda Bleckmann was the Interim Deputy Chief Executive Operational Design and Support at Whaikaha – Ministry of Disabled People. She supported the Chief Executive to collaborate and influence across the system to advance the rights and wellbeing of all disabled people, tāngata whaikaha Māori, Pacific disabled people and their families. Before that, she worked at the Ministry of Health’s Disability Directorate in a number of roles since 2004, including Group Manager and Manager and Portfolio Manager. Prior to these roles, she held a number of management roles in mental health services.  

Hannah Kerr

At the time of the hearing Hannah Kerr was Group Manager Strategy and Policy at Whaikaha – Ministry of Disabled People. She was responsible for working in partnership with the disability community to develop policy and strategy to realise Whaikaha’s aspirations for disabled people. She has 20 years of experience working in policy in both Aotearoa New Zealand and the United Kingdom. Most recently prior to the hearing she was the former Group Manager Strategy, Policy and Performance – Disability, and before that the Disability Policy Manager at the Ministry of Health.