Growing the Legacy, Shaping the Future - A Historic Step Forward

NZSDRT Team
6 days ago
2 min read

The 2026 NZSDRT Inc Annual General Meeting recently concluded. It marked a significant moment in the history of our Society - a transition in leadership, identity, and the continuing evolution of Diversional and Recreational Therapy in Aotearoa New Zealand.

Following the election, AJ Aledron was appointed President, becoming the Society’s first male President in a profession historically led predominantly by women. His appointment reflects something fundamental to our profession: celebrating difference, creating space for people to contribute authentically, and recognising that diversity strengthens leadership and community.

Our 2026–2027 Leadership

Executive Board

Position	Elected Board Member
President	AJ Aledron
Vice President	Nika Manuera
Secretary	Mekiesha Waller
Treasurer	Kristine Estillore
Regional Support Groups Liaison	Ellen Romero
Historian	Deepa Reddy
Media & Communications Liaison	John Peralta

Registration Board

Position	Elected Board Member
National Registrar	Jesika Sachdeva
Registration Board Member	Suzanne Nalepa
Registration Board Member	Kim Prasaad

Leadership Passed Forward

One of the most meaningful moments of the AGM was the formal declaration and induction of the newly elected officers, led by Orquidea Tamayo Mortera, a former President and one of the leaders who has shaped and elevated the Society over many years. There was something powerful about a leader from the Society’s past formally entrusting responsibility to its next generation of leadership.

Orquidea specifically asked for AJ’s family to stand with him during his declaration as President. She reflected that leadership can sometimes be a lonely space, and that the support of family, whānau, colleagues, and community is vital when accepting the responsibility of leading others.

It was a fitting reminder that leadership is never carried by one person alone.

This transition is also about honouring those who came before. We are not replacing our history—we are building upon it. The AGM also saw members formally adopt the Notice of Motion for the Society’s name change. Over the coming weeks, we will begin transitioning towards a name that better reflects the international language and global direction of our profession. While our name evolves, our purpose remains steadfast: to champion recreation and leisure as a human right and advance therapeutic recreation across aged care, disability, mental health, rehabilitation, corrections, community services and beyond.

Our conference theme, He Māra Tangata – A Garden of People, could not have been more timely. Growth requires strong roots, nurturing, courage, and space for something new to emerge.

Through our Horizon Project, members contributed their hopes, aspirations, opportunities, and dreams for the profession. These were collated into a word cloud and physically placed on our conference photo wall—our existing identity surrounded by the voices shaping what comes next.

Standing before those aspirations, our new leadership accepted the challenge: protect the foundations, listen to our people, and have the courage to evolve.