Tēna koutou katoa

Tū mai rā maunga Hikurangi

E rere atu rā ki te awa o Waiapu

Nei rā a Porou e mihi atu nei

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

Who we are

Ruth Jones (QSM)

Ōtautahi-born and grounded in her community, Ruth is a registered social worker and disabled Māori woman whose leadership spans grassroots practice and strategic governance across social work, disability advocacy, and kaupapa Māori development.

She has held key governance roles including:

  •  Board Member, Social Workers Registration Board (from Jan 2025)

  • Member, Oranga Tamariki Ministerial Advisory Board (since Dec 2021)

  • Co-Chair, High-Level Design Group for Redress for Survivors of Abuse in Care (2023 – completed)

  • Trustee, Te Tauraki – Ngāi Tahu Iwi Māori Partnership Board (2022–June 2025)

  • Board Member, Te Ao Mārama Aotearoa Trust (TAMA) (from 2024 – current)

Ruth co-founded the Earthquake Disability Leadership Group, now Disability Leadership Canterbury, and leads Hei Whakapiki Mauri, a Whānau Ora initiative uplifting tangata and whānau whaikaha.

Through Kanohi ki te Kanohi, Ruth offers a relational and kaupapa-driven approach to consultancy, working alongside whānau, communities, and organisations to support meaningful change. Her mahi is grounded in equity, integrity, and whanaungatanga, and was recognised with a Queen’s Service Medal for services to disabled people.

Gary Williams (KSO, MNZM, PLY)

Gary continues to be influential in driving change for tangata whaikaha, both in Aotearoa and globally. 

Alongside his mahi for tangata whaikaha Māori, Gary works to modernise systems, accessibility, and attitudes towards tangata whaikaha generally. He was made a Member of the New Zealand Order of Merit in 2012 and a Companion of the King's Service Order in 2025 for his work.

Gary has more than 45 years of experience in management and governance roles, including a decade as the Disabled Persons Assembly CEO. Gary is a Trustee of VisAble, Your Way Kia Roha, and Ngā Hau e Whā National Marae.

As a global leader, Gary was influential in the development of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities and the Pacific Disability Forum.

Other examples of Gary’s influence include the NZ Disability Strategy, Enabling Good Lives, the Royal Commission of Inquiry into Abuse in Care, and He Puapua.

His mātauranga is in the Kanohi ki te Kanohi Consultancy kete.