Kanohi ki te Kanohi collaborates with people and organisations that are seeking to create their own change.

We share a passion and aroha for serving our community and working in partnership with whānau and organisations. We have mana in the Aotearoa disability community and have extensive networks and experience across the disability, not-for-profit, Māori and government sectors.

Get to know Gary

Gary was raised in Tokomaru Bay as one of six children.  He is now a Dad and Poppa G to three mokos. He is a recent arrival to Christchurch but brings a wealth of experience and knowledge. 

After working as a software developer for nearly two decades, Gary became the CEO of the Disabled Persons Assembly, which he led for 11 years. There he focused on changing attitudes about disabled people, including advancing the idea that disabled people could have choice over where they lived, where they worked and could live in the community.

He was influential in the development of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, working alongside governments to get the best possible outcomes.

Get to know Ruth

Ruth was born in Christchurch and remains close to her family and friends here.

Ruth is proud to serve and work in the communities that she is part of. Initially as a social worker, then a manager and now as a consultant, Ruth provides and encourages leadership in the community, NGO, education and disability sectors. 

She and her husband Gary established the Earthquake Disability Leadership Group (EDLG) to promote the need for the new Christchurch to be a genuinely accessible city.