Staff 

Arts Access Aotearoa is governed by a board of trustees. Richard Benge is the Executive Director Kaiwhakahaere Matua and Lynley Hutton is the Chair.

Richard Benge MNZM, Executive Director | Kaiwhakahaere Matua

Richard is responsible for delivering the strategic plan. He manages the staff and reports to the board of trustees. His previous roles include Cultural Affairs Specialist at the United States Embassy in Wellington; Manager of heritage icon Old St Paul’s; and an independent events and communications specialist. After completing a B.Ed degree from Victoria College Rusden (now Deakin University Melbourne), majoring in drama and English literature, Richard worked as a high school teacher followed by Arts Access Victoria as an artist-in-residence in psychiatric hospitals and for Access Arts Queensland.

Pronouns: he/him
T:+64 4 802 4349
E: richard.benge@artsaccess.org.nz

Dawa Devereux, Business Administrator | Kaipakihi

Dawa is responsible for the day-to-day running of Arts Access Aotearoa’s office, supporting the Executive Director and Board of Trustees and delivering the fundraising programme. Before joining the Arts Access Aotearoa team, her work has included office administrator and programme co-ordinator roles. Dawa has a BA degree majoring in theatre from Victoria University of Wellington. She has designed and built costumes and operated the sound desk for a number of Wellington shows.

Pronouns: she/her
T: +64 4 802 4349
E: dawa.devereux@artsaccess.org.nz

Dev Singh, Finance Manager | Kaiwhakahaere Putea

Dev is responsible for managing the finances of Arts Access Aotearoa. His role includes producing annual budgets, monthly financial results, monitoring of expenditure, payment of creditors and payroll, as well as other projects. Dev has a Bachelor of Commerce degree from the University of Otago and a Bachelor of Law degree from the Victoria University of Wellington. He is a full member of the New Zealand Australia Institute of Chartered Accountants. Dev has more than 20 years’ post-graduate experience in finance.

Pronouns: he/him
T: +64 4 802 4349
E: dev.singh@artsaccess.org.nz

Stace Robertson, Access, Inclusion and Participation Advisor | Kaiārahi a Toi

Stace is the first port of call for arts venues, organisations, festivals and practitioners wanting to become more accessible and inclusive in the arts. Stace is a practising artist, working in various mediums and is currently exploring ceramics. Stace has a BMA (hons) majoring in painting and sculpture from Wintec. In 2016, he was awarded a Vodafone New Zealand Fellowship for a resource project that became All of Us, Minority Identities and Inclusion in Aotearoa New Zealand. As a disabled person, Stace has strong connections in disability communities and is passionate about access. He has a background in advocacy and community development. Stace works Monday to Thursday.

Pronouns: he/him/they/they/them 
T: +64 4 802 4349
E: afa@artsaccess.org.nz

Kate Hiatt, Creative Spaces Advisor | Kaiārahi a Toi Whakawātea Tangata

Kate’s role is to support and connect creative spaces around New Zealand, strengthening their resilience and capability, and championing the value they bring to the people and communities they support. Kate has extensive experience in the performing arts sector – as a performer, a creator and in a range of administration roles. She has also worked in the health, community development and philanthropic sectors. She was the Community Engagement and Grants Manager for Wellington Community Trust for seven years. She has an MA in Arts Management. Kate works Monday to Thursday.

Pronouns: she/her
T: +64 4 802 4349
E: kate.hiatt@artsaccess.org.nz

Hannah Dahlke, Creative Spaces Funding Advisor | Kaiārahi Kohi Moni

Hannah’s role is to support the Creative Spaces Initiative, which provides critical funding for the creative spaces sector. Hannah has a MA in Creative and Performing Arts majoring in Dance Studies from the University of Auckland. She has worked extensively in arts administration in both Aotearoa and the United States over the past 15 years, including as a Grants Specialist for the Washington State Arts Commission. Hannah works Monday to Thursday. 

Pronouns: she/her
T: 027 216 5816
E: fundingsupport@artsaccess.org.nz

Neil Wallace, Creative Spaces Funding Advisor | Kaiārahi Kohi Moni

Neil’s  role is to support the Creative Spaces Initiative, which provides critical funding for the creative spaces sector. Neil (Ngati Irakehu, Kati Kuri, Kai Tahu) has a background in arts leadership and governance roles. He has an Advanced Diploma in Art & Creativity and a degree in creative media. Neil also lectures in professional portfolio and exhibition studies at Ucol – Te Pūkenga.  He works Monday to Thursday.

Pronouns: he/him
T:
E: fundingsupport@artsaccess.org.nz

Christopher Ulutupu, Arts in Corrections Advisor | Kaiārahi A Toi Ara Poutama

Chris delivers the Arts in Corrections Advisory Service and advocates for the arts as a tool supporting prisoner rehabilitation and reintegration. He is a practising artist of Samoan, Niuean and German descent. He holds an MFA from Massey University and a Bachelor of Performance Design (Hons) from Massey University and Toi Whakaari: New Zealand Drama School. He has also worked for Community Corrections in Wellington and has extensive links in the arts and Pasifika communities. He has developed solo projects with SCAPE Public Art and The Physics Room, Ōtautahi (2018), Play station, Pōneke (2017), and CIRCUIT Artist Film and Video Aotearoa. Chris works Monday to Wednesday.

Pronouns: he/him
T: +64 4 802 4349
E: aic@artsaccess.org.nz

Milly Hampton, Advisory Programme Assistant | Kaiawhina Whakahaere Mahi

In this role, Milly assists Chris Ulutupu and Stace Robertson to develop their networks. They come from a background in public and government libraries, and community arts administration. Milly is a practising artist working in printmaking, textiles and illustration, and has run numerous art workshops throughout the community in Pōneke. Other skills include social media management, communications, and programming for children and youth. Milly works Monday to Thursday.

Pronouns: they/them
T: +64 4 802 4349
E: afa@artsaccess.org.nz
E: aic@artsaccess.org.nz

Iona McNaughton, Communications Manager | Kaiwhakahaere Whakawhitiwhiti Kōrero

Iona’s role includes writing, editing, promotions and advocacy. She manages Arts Access Aotearoa’s website and its social media platforms. She joined Arts Access Aotearoa in 2008 following a 15-year career as a journalist and then working at Creative New Zealand from 1997 to 2005. She has a BA (Honours) in English Literature from Otago University, and is also a published children’s writer and former editor. In 2009, Iona co-wrote, project managed and edited Arts For All, a practical guide about providing access to the arts to disabled and Deaf people, and its revised editions in 2014 and 2020. Iona works Tuesday to Friday.

Pronouns: she/her
T: +64 4 802 4349
E: iona.mcnaughton@artsaccess.org.nz 

Sam Morgan, Digital Content Developer | Kaiwhakawhanake Ihirangi Mamati

Sam (Rongowhakaata, Te Aitanga-a-Mahaki) researches and develops digital content for Arts Access Aotearoa, including podcasts, video and other digital media that will enable Arts Access Aotearoa to expand its advocacy and promotion capabilities, and reach new audiences. Sam has a Bachelor of Commercial Music, majoring in music technology from Massey University Wellington. As a person with low vision, Sam is passionate about digital accessibility. His recent research project at Massey focused on how music technology education can be more accessible for people who are blind or have low vision. Sam works Monday to Thursday.

Pronouns: he/him
T: +64 4 802 4349
E: sam.morgan@artsaccess.org.nz

Airini Gordon, Administration and Projects Assistant | Kaiawhina Whakahaere a Mahi

Airini (Ngai Tahu, Te Arawa) is responsible for updating the database and assisting with other projects. She volunteered with Arts Access Aotearoa for four years before joining the team in 2020, working one day a week. Airini has held a number of other volunteer roles. Airini has studied business administration and Maori at university level. She is a member of Wellington Batucada, a samba drumming group of more than 100 members. Airini works Wednesdays and Fridays.

Pronouns: she/her
T: +64 4 802 4349
E: airini.gordon@artsaccess.org.nz