Leo McIntyre

Human rights advocate

Wellington, Wellington, New Zealand

About

Leo McIntyre is an independent consultant and mental health professional with 20 years experience in managing services, strategic advice and governance, supervision and mentoring, and working directly with people who experience mental distress. Most recently, until February 2024, he was a Principal Advisor at the Royal Commission on Abuse in State Care and in Faith-based Institutions. He is experienced and respected as an advocate on disability and human rights issues at both individual and systemic levels. As Chair of Balance Aotearoa until 2023, Leo led their work with the Disabled Persons Organisations Coalition (DPOC) and was Chair of the Coalition from November 2019 to October 2020 and part of its delegation to Geneva for the UNCRPD Committee’s 2022 examination of Aotearoa New Zealand. Leo was elected Vice-President of the Workbridge Council, and has contributed to advisory groups for the Mental Health Commission, Health Quality and Safety Commission, Te Pou O Te Whakaaro Nui, New Zealand Disability Support Network (NZDSN), Office of the Ombudsman, Nōku Te Ao, and others.

Experience

  • Health New Zealand | Te Whatu Ora (Full-time · 1 yr 8 mos)
    • Acting Director of Lived Experience and Engagement
      Mar 2025 - Present · 1 yr 4 mos

      Secondment to provide maternity leave cover for one year.

    • Lived Experience Lead - Wellington Locality
      Nov 2024 - Present · 1 yr 8 mos

  • Board Member at VisAble
    May 2024 - Present · 2 yrs 2 mos

  • Director at Onepū Studios
    Apr 2024 - Present · 2 yrs 3 mos

    Artist, photographer, writer, production, and event management with a focus on human rights.

  • Director at Clearspace
    May 2017 - Present · 9 yrs 2 mos

  • Independent Consultant at Leo McIntyre Consultant
    Jul 2010 - Present · 16 yrs

    Contract work providing supervision, management, quality and human rights monitoring, policy advice, proposal writing, IT support.