About Us
About Parafed Manawatu
Parafed Manawatu was founded in 1973 to provide sport and recreation opportunities for those with a physical or vision impairment. We work closely with other organisations to provide pathways into sport and onwards to regional and national programmes.
Our mission is to provide quality programmes, events, opportunities, funding support, advocacy, guidance and expertise to enable disabled people to be active in sport and recreation
Meet our team
Shaz Dagg
Shaz Dagg is New Zealand's first elite para-triathlete and Parafed Manawatū's sport development adviser.
In 2016, Dagg's left arm was crushed by a gate while she was working on a goat farm. After multiple complications, and nine surgeries, the arm was amputated above her elbow.
Shaz uses this life changing experience as a way to advocate, support and relate to all Parafed Manawatu Members, and others in her community.
Prior to her farm accident, Dagg represented New Zealand at the 2014 ITU world duathlon championships in Spain and raced in a number of Ironman events. She also competed as an age-grade triathlete and decided to come back to the sport after her accident.
By 2018 she had qualified to represent New Zealand at the triathlon world champs on the Gold Coast, becoming the country's first Para triathlete.
Shaz has traveled extensively to Tokyo, Lausanne, around Australia, gaining ranking points to qualify for the Paralympics only to have her category removed for the 2020 Tokyo Paralympic games.
In 2021 Shaz was the first ever female amputee to complete the Coast – to Coast.
Shaz has always used sports to set goals and always likes to come up with a bigger achievement once completed the first.
Shaz says "Sport has helped me in so many ways, from meeting others to achievements and becoming a role model for all the youth I work for."
"I may only have one wing but I can still fly"
If Shaz is not at work, you will find her out exercising, eating chocolate or enjoying a coffee with friends.
John Sigurdsson
Hi I'm John and I am the chairperson of Parafed Manawatu. I have been involved for more than 5 years and have a real passion in the disability sport space. I also work for Halberg Foundation
Hollie Howland
I am Hollie and I am proud to have the role of administrator for Parafed Manawatu.
I am mum to a sports mad son with huge dreams of representing New Zealand in para sport one day.
I myself have been part of the Parafed Network for most of my life, so I relish the idea of being able to give back to the disability sport sector.
If I am not in the office, you will find me at home in the garden or my sewing room.