Paula Tesoriero, Disability Rights Commissioner and Paralympic gold medallist
We hope that you enjoy listening to the career journey of Paula Tesoriero. Paula is New Zealand’s Disability Rights Commissioner. It is her role to protect and promote the rights of disabled New Zealanders.
She is also a Paralympian cycling gold medalist, a former lawyer, and was previously a general manager at Statistics NZ and at the Ministry of Justice. Paula has also held a range of governance roles including Halberg Disability Sport Foundation, New Zealand Artificial Limb Service, Sport Wellington and Paralympics New Zealand.
Paula won cycling gold in record-breaking time at the 2008 Paralympics and was recently announced Chef de Mission for the NZ Paralympic team heading to Toyko in 2021.
"Bring your whole self to your role. I think often we hold bits of ourselves back, and for me that was around disability and actually I know that I'm better in my work - and just in general as a wife, Mum and Board Director - I know that I'm better through that authenticity."