Introducing our Community Reporters programme

Back in 2014, I was an intern at my local community newspaper. I was a keen, fresh-faced third year journalism student excited not just to see my name in print, but to tell important stories.

I wrote about a local photographer being a finalist at an international film competition and a family with a bunch of kids who played all the siblings in a stage show of The Sound of Music, and I interviewed a designer for the World of Wearable Arts show. They were not life-changing stories, but I still interviewed each person very seriously and treated them with the utmost importance.

More than 10 years later, I’m the Editor now and – serendipitously – working literally across the road from where I was an intern. Young Olivia’s dreams of a journalism career did come true, but it was also because of the great support of editors and mentors that helped me to grow and challenged me as a writer.

And that’s why at The D*List we’ve started the Community Reporters Programme: to help nurture the next generation of disabled storytellers.

I’ll be the first to admit, I still don’t know everything! I don’t think I’ll ever stop growing as a storyteller, and I’ll be learning from the participants on this programme too.

Initially, we were only going to take on two community reporters, but there was far more appetite for this opportunity than even we had anticipated. So we have chosen six community reporters from a range of different backgrounds, regions and life experiences to support The D*List’s kaupapa of sharing authentic disabled stories that represent our communities.

This year, we have:

• Matty Bauernfeind, who is studying Communications at Wintec and is passionate about telling the stories of disabled people. He’s also a massive Arsenal fan;

• Ellie Marsden, who’s been working full-time in radio since 2024 and is excited to use her media skills to serve our disabled communities;

• Maioha Tawa (Ngaati Ranginui, Ngaati Paaoa), who has a background in research, law, policy and advocacy. She is currently doing research work at IHC and also a governance internship with the Antarctic Heritage Trust;

• Em Berry, who is an independent writer, poet and artist taking a revised approach to literature and the written word;

• Havilah Arendse, who is the owner of four dogs and has a love for crafting, plants and is getting back into sewing to build up her fashion label;

• And Kitty Wasasala, an artist, florist, writer and performer who works in media accessibility.

Each month, we’ll be meeting together for a hui. Our time together will include sharing stories ideas, giving feedback to each other, and sharing skills which we have a whole bunch of among the group. We might also have guests to share their expertise, whether that's from within the D*List team, or externally. Part of my job as an editor is to also listen and be guided by the rōpū.

We’ve already had one team hui and the amount of energy and enthusiasm brought to the meeting just made me so excited. I’m so proud to be sharing the work they have been producing over the next few weeks — stay tuned!