Q and A with Child Poverty Action Groups’ Budget Event Panelists
Associate Professor Susan St John
She is a founding member of CPAG and CPAG spokesperson on economics. She is an Associate Professor in the Economics Department, University of Auckland and the Director of the Retirement Policy and Research Centre. And in last year’s Queen’s Birthday Honours, was appointed a Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit for services to social policy.
Professor Peter O’Connor
Professor O’Connor is an internationally recognised expert in making and researching applied theatre and drama education. He has made theatre in prisons, psychiatric hospitals, earthquake zones and with the homeless. He is the Academic Director of the Creative Thinking Project, a multi and cross disciplinary research programme that investigates the nature and application of creativity in everyday life. His work in Christchurch schools following the series of earthquakeslead to UNESCO funded research and programme development and the development of the Teaspoon of Light Theatre Company. In 2012 he was named the Griffith UniversitySchool of Education and Professional Studies Alumnus of the Year.
Dr Matire Harwood
Dr Matire Harwood is from the iwi of
Ngāpuhi. She is an associate professor at the University of Auckland and a GP at the Papakura Marae Health CEntre. Harwood was the 2017 New Zealand L’Oréal UNESCO For Women in ScienceFellow. She has devoted her career to issues relating to Mori health and also conducts medical research in areas including asthma, stroke, heart disease and diabetes. And last year, the Health Research Council of New Zealand awarded the Te Tohu Rapuora Award to Dr Harwood for her outstanding leadership and contribution to Moari health.
Andrea Black
Andrea Black is Policy Director and Economist at the Council of Trade Unions. She is a Senior Associate at the Institute of Governance and Policy Studies at Victoria University. She was formerly the Independent Advisor to the Tax Working Group and before that held senior positions at Inland Revenue and the Treasury. Andrea holds degrees in accounting, economics and tax. She is a Chartered Accountant fellow and an associate member of the Institute of Directors. Andrea is also trustee of JustSpeak.