Amanda D’Souza, Chairperson

Dr Amanda D’Souza is a public health physician with expertise in children’s health, development and wellbeing and is an academic at the Department of Public Health, University of Otago Wellington. She commenced as chair of the Children’s Rights Alliance Aotearoa New Zealand in October 2023. Amanda brings extensive experience from policy, clinical practice, and community sector perspectives, including having worked at the Office of the Children’s Commissioner, UNICEF NZ, and the Ministry of Health. Her PhD explored child-centred policy development in case studies of Sweden, Australia, and Aotearoa. Children and young people are important. Amanda is committed to making their rights a reality in Aotearoa and relegating childhood inequities to the past. Amanda is a Fellow of the NZ College of Public Health Medicine and a member of the Paediatric Society.

Liselle Finlay, Vice Chairperson

Liselle Finlay is a Programme Advisor at Family for Every Child, a global, member-led alliance of local civil society organisations working on children’s care and protection. Her role focuses on supporting the organisation’s New Zealand Programme as well as the global movement building of local civil society, to ensure communities' knowledge is recognised, respected and valued by decision makers and key actors. In New Zealand, she helps support civil society organisations to come together to implement joint actions across research, advocacy and practice exchange, with a current focus on initiatives related to improving the lives of children in our care system, and preventing violence against children and young people. Liselle has a background in communications, holds a Master of International Development and her special interest areas include kinship care, and youth and lived experience participation.

Jacqui Southey, Secretary

Jacqui Southey is the child rights advocate and research Director at Save the Children New Zealand. She is fully committed to a positive and nurturing world for children, today and every day into the future. Her focus is systemic and cultural change that will see children’s rights understood, respected and upheld for all children in our everyday lives. Jacqui has a background in children’s rights – with a particular interest in children’s participation and empowering children’s agency, child rights education, speaking up with and for children on issues important to them, and teaching. She has a Master of Education focusing on child engagement, children’s social and emotional development, and has a particular research interest in the positive discipline practices of parents of children under five years of age. Jacqui lives in the Wairarapa, is mother to three adult children, and three beautiful grandchildren

Belinda Tuari-Toma, Treasurer

(He uri au no Ngāti Porou, Te Whānau-ā-Apanui, Te Whenua Moemoea) dedicated kairongoā and advocate of hauora Māori in aspects of health, culture, environment, voice, rights and identity. Representing her community, whānau ora Takiri mai te Ata - health and social service collective -Kokiri Marae/Tū Kotahi Māori Asthma and Research Trust as an emerging research fellow. She has experience working across public and private sector as a Māori policy analyst, worked for UNICEF NZ and was a CMG member representing tamariki interests. Is a member of the rongoā collective, Te Putoiora, Tihei Mauri Tū – survivors of State care and is a social enterprise partner for a programme that focuses on holistic health, wellbeing and fitness.

Dr John Waldon - Tūhoe

(Ngāti Koura, Te Urewera), Ngāti Kahungunu, Ngāti Pōrou.

Born and educated in Whakatāne, John has whānau connections with Papakainga and Te Tōtara marae at Ruātoki, as well as Te Tira Hou in Auckland. 

John has long-term interest in the rights and well-being of children. He holds a Bachelor of Science degree (Waikato), a Master of Public Health (Otago) and a Doctor of Philosophy (Massey) and has presented papers on Māori health and wellbeing internationally. John is currently a Restorative Justice Facilitator, contract researcher and a Board member of the Midcentral District Health Board. A life member of the Cancer Society, John has served on the boards of the Public Health Association, the NZ Drug Foundation and is currently Chair and President of the Manawatū Centre of the Cancer Society.

John has held the Tamariki Māori portfolio on the Steering Committee for many years and attended the 2003 session of the United Nations Committee for the Rights of the Child and the 2010 pre-session on behalf of ACYA.

Natania Katene

Ko Tainui te waka

Ko Whitieria te maunga

Ko Raukawakawa te moana

Ko Takapūwahia te marae

Ko Ngāti Toa Rangatira te iwi me Ngāti Tūwharetoa ki Taupo-nui-a-tia, Ngāruahine ki Taranaki, Ngāti Kahungungu ki Wairoa.

Ko Natania Katene toku ingoa

Kei te noho au ki Tāmaki Makaurau. 

Kia ora! I am honoured to be a part of the Children’s Rights Alliance Aotearoa NZ Steering Group.

I have over 20 years of experience specializing in local and national advocacy being a voice for those less heard and channeling dedicated efforts to champion the needs, rights, and well-being of whānau Māori. My influence spans operational and governance levels, shaping strategic plans, guiding resource allocations, and influencing investments for Māori in health, education, and social services.

I'm a Māmā with 1 beautiful daughter, and to my whānau, I'm known as Aunty Nat.

Nikki Hurst

Nikki Hurst currently leads the Council of Christian Social Services, representing over 230 community, health and social service providers across Aotearoa. Nikki has a background in play therapy, youth development and health promotion. She has served for many years in community and national organisations focused on the rights and wellbeing of children, from youth-led anti-bullying movements, to supporting the professionalisation of youth work, to combating perinatal distress. Nikki lives on the heights of Ahumairangi with her teenage son, and finds joy in coaching primary school netball. With a deep belief in the leadership children show and the value they have, Nikki is honoured to be joining the Steering Committee of CRAANZ.

Nicola Taylor

Professor Nicola Taylor is Director of the Children’s Issues Centre in the Faculty of Law at the University of Otago. She also holds the Alexander McMillan Chair in Childhood Studies. She has qualifications in both law and social work, a PhD, and has been admitted as a Barrister and Solicitor of the High Court of New Zealand. Nicola is a leading socio-legal researcher and has undertaken many studies with children, parents and professionals on family law, cross-border and children’s rights issues. She was the founding Treasurer of ACYA and has been involved with ACYA and the Children’s Rights Alliance for many years.

Sarah Te One

Dr Sarah Te One is the Senior Researcher at Tātai Aho Rau|CORE Education. She has had an abiding interest in children’s rights, particularly their rights in early education. Sarah has worked as a kindergarten teacher, a union leader, an academic and an advocate. She has been involved in many projects with young children, whānau and communities. Her most recent research has focused on transitions to school and on community-led equity issues. She is passionate about developing resources that kaiako can use in their everyday practice. Sarah was a past Chairperson of ACYA and has been a member of the Steering Committee for ACYA and the Child Rights Alliance for many years.