Our Executive

  • A Pākehā person in a black dress with long curly hair and glasses is smiling at the camera, against a background of harakeke. Blue and green tape can be seen to help hold their shoulder in place!

    Eloise Fleming (they/ them)

    CO-PRESIDENT

    I'm Eloise (they/them), one of the NDSA's Co-Presidents for 2025! I live in Tāmaki Makaurau, and I've been a student since 2017, having graduated with a BSc in Ecology and Microbiology, although I'm about to pivot my postgraduate studies into a master's in Disability Studies. I'm proudly neurodivergent, a mobility aid user, and I have hypermobile Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome along with the bonus diagnoses that often come with it. 

    I've worked with disabled tertiary students for a number of years as a co-founding member of the NDSA, alongside co-founding Disability at Massey under Te Tira Ahu Pae, the students' association for Massey University. I have a passion for improving the experiences of disabled students in education, and I have strong interests in mahi around digital and physical accessibility, policy, intersectionality, and providing accessible resources for students across the motu.

  • A selfie of a person with dark hair and makeup, wearing a grey jacket and a necklace, taken indoors with a busy background featuring people and seating areas

    Nikita Van Dijk (she/they/them)

    CO-PRESIDENT

    Kia ora, I’m Nikita and I have been part of NDSA since 2021, representing the disabled student community at the University of Waikato and previously serving as the Relations Officer for 2024. My journey in advocacy started even earlier, back in intermediate school, and I’ve remained committed to supporting the disabled community and people with rare disorders ever since. As the founder and former president of the Waikato Disabled Students Association (WDSA), I’ve developed hands-on leadership skills that continue to guide my work at NDSA.

    Currently working on my Master of Disability and Inclusion Studies at the University of Waikato, I bring together academic knowledge, personal experiences, and a deep passion for inclusion to make a real difference. I’m all about creating positive change for disabled students and the wider community.

  • A professional headshot of a smiling young female with long brown hair wearing a light blue shirt against a plain white background

    Ella McDowall (she/her)

    ENGAGEMENT OFFICER

    Kia Ora! I’m Ella McDowall (she/her), and I'm thrilled to be the 2025 Engagement Officer for the NDSA! Based in Ōtautahi Christchurch, I’m currently pursuing a Bachelor of Arts with a double major in International Relations and Political Science, and French at the University of Canterbury.

    Through my own lived experience with several chronic illnesses, I am acutely aware of the challenges we, as disabled students, face. This perspective has fuelled my passion for accessibility and inclusion advocacy, and I am excited at the opportunity to foster connections, amplify voices, and create meaningful change for disabled students as Engagement Officer this year.

    My advocacy background involves working with UNICEF Aotearoa as a 2024/2025 Young Ambassador. In this role, I have advocated strongly for the voices of those with lived experiences to be heard at every level of decision-making. I’m looking forward to bringing this same commitment to the NDSA, ensuring our needs and experiences are represented and acted on.

  • A smiling individual wearing glasses and a light dress, standing in front of vibrant green ferns on a sunny day.

    Hannah Pretious (she/her)

    RELATIONS OFFICER

    Kia Ora - I’m Hannah. I am a researcher and advocate from Palmerston North, now based in Dunedin, completing a Bachelor of Arts in Gender Studies and Anthropology at the University of Otago.

    My advocacy work began in the student space as a founding executive member of the Otago Disabled Students Association. Since then, I’ve completed a Be. Internship with the CCS Disability Action National Policy Team, conducted research for the New Zealand College of Sexual and Reproductive Health, and joined the Ministry of Education Te Poutāhū Disability Voices Group. In 2023, I returned to student advocacy with the “Study As Sunflowers” project, highlighting the experiences of disabled tertiary students worldwide.

    I am passionate about using my lived experience, anthropological insights, and commitment to centering disabled voices in policy and research in my role as NDSA’s 2025 Relations Officer.

  • An individual with medium-length hair wearing a dark shirt and lanyard, holding papers and giving a thumbs-up in front of a presentation screen

    Jasper Poole (he/him)

    ADMINISTRATION OFFICER

    Kia ora, my name is Jasper. I am the Administrative Officer for the disabled students' association. My experience with disability advocacy includes participating in my university's DAP reference group, helping to co-found Auckland University's Disabled Students' Association, and running social spaces for Neurodiverse people at Auckland University and Autism NZ. I am part of this association for that reason and hope to do good work.