Áine Kelly-Costello
Áine Kelly-Costello (they/them) is a Pākehā, multiply-disabled researcher, storyteller and advocate. They love working with and within the disability community towards a Tiriti-centred, equitable and just Aotearoa.
They are a PhD student at Ōtākou Whakaihu Waka / the University of Otago where they are exploring the role and wellbeing of disability community organisations, drawing on critical Disability Studies and decolonial approaches. They have also done research and journalism at the nexus of disability and climate justice locally to internationally and sit on the board of 350 Aotearoa.
A highlight of their 2022-2025 panel term was working with the disability community and Council towards embedding disabled leadership and inclusion within Auckland's emergency planning processes.
They work from the basis that the personal is political, striving to increase access to politics for the disability community and campaigning to abolish disability discrimination in immigration policy.
Amy Hogan
Amy Hogan is based in Auckland, with 20 years’ experience implementing and overseeing national disability research projects as a researcher, analyst, writer and advocate focusing on health and social justice.
Amy lives with cerebral palsy (CP) and has over the past decade incorporated her day-to-day experience into work at the Cerebral Palsy Society of New Zealand. She has developed and implemented research, policy, advocacy and system change.
Amy has completed a master's degree (MSc First Class Honours in Psychology) where her thesis analysed the language construction of purported treatments and cures for people living with chronic conditions. She also has significant experience as a lecturer, panellist, keynote speaker and provider of subject-matter expertise.
In 2025, Amy assumed several leadership positions within the disability community, both within New Zealand and abroad. These include being:
- a member of the Auckland Council Disability Advisory Panel
- co-chair of the Australian and New Zealand Cerebral Palsy Strategy
- co-chair of Access Matters Aotearoa and
- board member of the Australasian Academy of Cerebral Palsy and Developmental Medicine.
Andrew McMillan
Andrew is a wheelchair user of more than 20 years after a C3, C4 spinal cord injury. He is an improviser, composer and sound artist. A dedicated improviser on saxophone and laptop computer, Andrew has also worked in composition and sound design for theatre, film, TV and dance, as well as directing and composing for various groups.
Andrew is the co-chair on Touch Compass Dance Trust Board and has a PhD in music accessibility. He has a particular focus on hybrid technology.
Felix Shaw
Felix Shaw is an 18-year-old deaf student at the University of Auckland studying political science and communication.
During his time at high school, Felix campaigned successfully for governmental change in the way hearing-aid batteries are funded, now funded through a scheme called Individualised Funding. Running this campaign made him realise his passion for advocacy and fighting for positive change.
Felix continues to do disability advocacy work and is also the co-chair of his local council youth board.
He feels privileged and excited to serve on the Auckland Council Disability Advisory Panel for the next three years where he hopes to bring a youth-disability lens to the panel.
Jai Waite
Jai Waite is a South Auckland-based business owner, father and former Wheel Black Paralympic gold medallist.
A quadriplegic and manual wheelchair user, Jai has spent 25 years navigating the greater Auckland area while staying active through handcycling, swimming and maintaining strong connections within the community.
Natasha MacDougall
Originally from the United Kingdom, Natasha has called Tāmaki Makaurau home for the past 25 years.
Natasha is a neurodiverse policy researcher and public-sector leader with extensive experience across disability, health and local-government systems. Her work examines how governance frameworks, data infrastructure and policy design shape the lived realities of families and marginalised communities.
Natasha is currently completing a thesis at the University of Auckland, specialising in critical policy analysis and public-sector governance.
Pete Williams
Pete Williams is a highly accomplished professional, athlete and community leader, whose life is defined by resilience and determination.
Born with spina bifida and given weeks to live, Pete has overcome immense challenges, including over 50 operations and one that paralysed him further.
Unbound by his circumstances, Pete excelled academically, earning a bachelor’s degree in Communications Studies and has gained domestic and international experience in media, business and marketing.
A dedicated Paralympian, he competed in the 2010 Winter Paralympics in the Giant Slalom and Slalom events.
Rick Dodson
America’s Cup sailor and multiple World Champion, Rick Dodson was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis (MS) 20 years ago.
Rick was the onboard strategist with Team New Zealand when they won the 1995 America’s Cup in San Diego and again during the team’s 2000 defense. It was during the defense campaign that he was diagnosed with MS. Rick went on to compete successfully in sailing in the Paralympics in Rio 2016.
Meetings of the panel
The panel has a mixture of open formal business meetings and closed workshops each year. The panel meets approximately every six to eight weeks, excluding December and January.
Formal business meetings are open to the public and any elected members of Auckland Council.
Workshops are used for discussion between panel members, Governing Body members and relevant council staff.
For dates, agendas and minutes, visit Agendas and Minutes.
'Auckland Disability Community Hui on Planning for Emergencies' video
