In August we were excited to welcome Dr Rebekah Graham to our Kaitiaki Advisory Board. Rebekah has a passion for community wellbeing and expertise in various interconnected areas, namely food insecurity, but more recently disability.

“The Waikato Wellbeing Project’s strategic priorities and focus areas (such as leading impactful projects, sharing wellbeing stories through data and insight, fostering community engagement, advocating for positive change, and supporting regional plans), resonate deeply with my own values and aspirations. I am confident that my skills, experiences, and commitment make me a strong candidate for this role.”

As a community psychologist, Rebekah has a broad interest in regional wellbeing and is especially interested in the role that local places and spaces interconnected with people play in both wellbeing and for fostering inclusive communities.

Given the priority the WWP is placing on better understanding kai security and sovereignty in the Waikato, Rebekah was a natural choice to join the board. Rebekah’s PhD explored the lived experience of food insecurity, the realities of the difficulties faced, and the need to foster sustainable food systems.