Tara Shepherd

A champion for inclusion and sustainability, student, and General Executive Member of the National Disabled Students’ Association.

Tara Shepherd, 20, of Westport, is currently in her third year of a Bachelor of Applied Science double majoring in Politics and Environmental Management at Otago University. She is community-driven, passionate about the environment, education, and justice, and is interested in influencing positive change in these areas.

She has proven her dedication and willingness to support her communities through numerous avenues. In 2019, advocated for a local potential environmental catastrophe; the historic Hector Landfill. Creating a petition to parliament, organising climate strike and interviewed by John Campbell to bring attention to the risk of legacy landfill. Ten months later, the Government announced $1 million dollars towards the protection of the landfill and she also had the opportunity to present to the Governor General.

Tara's aptitude for her town during a state of emergency witnessed a decisive leader. In July 2021, Westport endured a 100-year-flood, she was the Civil Defense Welfare Night Shift Manager over the three nights, responsible for ensuring welfare centers were operational and giving assistance to those in need by dispatching NZDF or Police. On the final night Tara wrote a Post-Flood Waste Management Plan and was asked to take on the role for the Buller District Council as Acting Waste Management Coordinator. She was responsible for the removal of huge amounts of flooded household waste in the town. Tara wrote, initiated, and coordinated local contractors and other personnel including BDC, NEMA/EMAT and NZDF while also arranging for somewhere for the rubbish to be stockpiled and keeping the public informed. Over the course of six days, the team removed 1,017 tonnes of rubbish. She spent the day with the Prime Minister debriefing her about the extensive damage. Her plan is now used as a template in Emergency Management Situations in New Zealand and is often a key contact for feedback, as she was part of discussions with recent events in Auckland and Gisborne.

Tara also has a raw connection with disabled youth as first beginning her advocacy journey at age five where she held regular mufti days at her school for Ronald McDonald House Christchurch. Growing up with regular appointments and in Hospital, she learned grief, gratitude and power of her voice at a young age. Tara was a member of Minister Hipkin’s Youth Advisory Group for the Ministry of Education for two years as an advocate for rural students and those with disabilities, having also played a key role in their response during the pandemic. In 2022, Tara furthered her advocacy as she is appointed on the National Disabled Students' Association (NDSA) as a General Executive Member and selected to be a part for the Te Poutāhū Disability Voices Group for the Curriculum Refresh. In 2023 she was elected Co-President of NDSA and has since attended the 7th Pacific Disabled Forum in Fiji and spoken at the Inaugural