Rāwā Karetai-Wood-Bodley (He/Ia)

Rāwā Karetai-Wood-Bodley is a respected Māori and disability leader, strategist, and human rights advocate whose mahi sits at the intersection of Indigenous rights, disability justice, and LGBTQIA+ liberation.

Rooted in whakapapa to Kāi Tahu, Kāti Māmoe, Waitaha, and Ngāti Maniapoto, and shaped by lived experience as a takatāpui and tangata whaikaha Māori, Rāwā brings both professional insight and personal authenticity to every boardroom, policy space, and international forum.

As National Manager for Disabled People’s Health – Hospitals and Specialist Services at Health New Zealand | Te Whatu Ora, Rāwā leads the national integration of disability equity across hospital and specialist services — designing inclusive systems, implementing the Disability Capability Framework, and ensuring accessible, culturally safe care for all communities.

Their current governance and diplomatic experience spans ILGA Oceania, Te Pūawaitanga ki Ōtautahi Trust, and the Waitaha Enabling Good Lives Leadership Group, alongside work with the UNDP, WHO, and other global partners to uplift community voices and advance human rights dialogue worldwide.

Previously, Rāwā has held senior leadership positions across Whaikaha – Ministry of Disabled People, the Ministry of Health, and the All-of-Government COVID-19 Disability Response, where their leadership earned recognition from Dr Ashley Bloomfield and a nomination for the Public Service Commission Spirit of Service Awards.

Currently completing an Executive MBA at Massey University, Rāwā is deepening their ability to translate equity into investment strategy, embedding values, accountability, and excellence within complex organisations.

Rāwā’s mahi is defined by manaakitanga, strategy, and systems fluency. They are known for connecting the dots between policy and people, ensuring that transformation is not only designed but lived.

“People are at the heart of everything I do.
Systems change is my craft.
And the future must be inclusive for all.”