Strong Voices

The Chief Executive’s Advisory Group came together early in 2025. It’s chaired by National Self Advocacy Advisor David Corner. He has compiled this report for us.

The idea for a Chief Executive’s Advisory Group came about after talking to IHC CEO Andrew Crisp. Andrew was keen on getting an advisory group together made up of people with an intellectual disability. IHC sent out an Easy Read nomination form and the terms of reference advertising for people with an intellectual disability to be part of the CEO Advisory Group.

Among those who applied were Neville Pugh, Dianne Pelvin, Hamish Tavener and Waata Houia and after going through the selection process they were appointed to the CEO Advisory Group. Alexandra Flutey Rowe, who is on the IHC member council, is also part of the Group.

The Group has had two meetings so far, one face-to-face and one online, and have another face-to-face meeting scheduled in December.  

Dianne Pelvin was the acting chairperson, and she chaired the first Group meeting as I was unable to attend.

The Group discussed the terms of reference as well as talking about the things that can help to make a meeting good. Then they came up with ideas and suggestions for meetings.

Independent Advisor Gordon Boxall spoke to the Group about the work he has done talking to people about what matters most in their lives. The information Gordon gathered was then included in the IHC survey.

The Group has talked about how people could be safe and happy in their residential homes by having regular meetings, having their say and choosing to live with people they want to live with.

We discussed what to expect at the IHC Annual General Meeting in Christchurch and that most of the focus would be on the IHC draft strategy.

We also talked about the New Zealand Disability Strategy and had lots of discussion about how the strategy does not include enabling good lives or the minimum wage exemption. The Group felt that these must be included in the strategy. I am also on the New Zealand Disability Strategy Employment Working Group representing people with an intellectual disability.

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Caption: The Chief Executive’s Advisory Group, Alexandra Flutey Rowe, Waata Houia, Dianne Pelvin, Hamish Tavener, Neville Pugh.