Where disability
is a matter of perception

Contact Us About Us
Disabled people and whānau participating in a Tiaho Trust community workshop in Whangārei.

Northland Disability
Advocacy & Support

Tiaho Trust is a Northland-based disability trust supporting tangata whaikaha (people with lived experience of disability), along with their whānau and carers, to live full, connected lives in their communities. The term tangata whaikaha emphasises strength, resilience, and identity, rather than deficit. It reflects our belief that people are not defined by disability, but by who they are.

We empower the Northland community by promoting disabled individuals as valued citizens who contribute, participate and add to the diversity of New Zealand society.

More about Tiaho trust

Ongoing/Upcoming Events

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October is Cerebral Palsy Awareness Month. It is a time to raise awareness, celebrate the lives and achievements of people living with cerebral palsy, and encourage greater understanding and inclusion through education and connection. The ‘Be Green and Be Seen’ campaign invites everyone to wear green, show their support, and help start conversations about cerebral…
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The Dementia Tai Tokerau Whangarei Support Group Meetings are an important part of education and support of our carers of clients under the facilitation of a Community Advisor. These take place on the second Thursday of every month, at 112 Corks Rd from 10-11.30am. This forum enables carers to meet, connect and learn from each…
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Dementia Tai Tokerau offers a comprehensive support group for families affected by dementia in Northland. Paihia Support group is held on the second Thursday of every month from 10am-11.30am, at the Opua Cruising Club, Baffin St, Opua.   The group provides one-to-one support over the phone and in person, offering expertise, practical knowledge, and emotional…
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Dementia Tai Tokerau offers a comprehensive support group for families affected by dementia in Northland. Kaikohe Support group is held on the first Thursday of every month from 11am-1pm, at the Senior Citizens Hall, 55 Tawanui Rd.   The group provides one-to-one support over the phone and in person, offering expertise, practical knowledge, and emotional…

Support Network

Organisations across Te Tai Tokerau that provide disability information, advice, and specialist support, helping you find the right people and services for your specific needs.

View our DIAS collective about tiaho trust

Wanānga Tūhono- Disability Awareness Training

Wānanga Tūhono is Tiaho Trust’s leadership development programme for disabled people, tāngata whaikaha Māori and whānau hauā across Te Tai Tokerau. Through accessible workshops, shared learning and connection, participants build confidence, strengthen their leadership skills and develop the tools to create positive change in their communities.

Explore training
Tiaho Trust CEO Jonny Wilkinson and Wally Noble smiling together at the Tiaho Trust office.

News & Resources

Keep up to date with the latest Tiaho Trust news, events and community updates, and find helpful information, guides and resources for disabled people, tāngata whaikaha Māori me te whānau hauā and their whānau.

Explore news & resources
Three guests relaxing together in the lounge, including a wheelchair user.

Respite House

Tiaho Trust provides comfortable, wheelchair-accessible accommodation in Whangārei for disabled visitors, tāngata whaikaha and their whānau.

The house is available for holidays, short stays and funded respite, with both private bookings and eligible disability-support funding welcomed. Contact us to discuss your needs, funding options and available dates.

Explore the respite house
Photo of Jonny Wilkinson (CEO, Tiaho Trust) at Whangarei Town Basin

A Different Light

A regular column written by Jonny, sharing his candid and often personal take on disability, accessibility, and everyday life in Aotearoa. Published fortnightly in the Northern Advocate.

Read columns
A diverse group of people, including wheelchair and mobility scooter users, gathered on the waterfront at Whangārei Town Basin.

Getting Out There

Getting Out There is Tiaho Trust’s annual magazine, distributed across Northland, featuring real stories from people living with disability and information on local services, organisations, and support available in Te Tai Tokerau.

Learn more