Our team

David is an elected Community Board member of the Far North District Council.  He lives in Kaitaia with his wife.

David has been involved in the disability sector since the early 1990’s and has had many roles including governance based trusts or incorporated societies e.g. Parent to Parent, Tiaho Trust, Far North Disability Resource Centre.

David has been totally blind since the age of 13 years old. He believes strongly in disabled leaders being actively involved in the wider community.

I have been working in and around the disability sector for 35 years both here in NZ and in the U.K. I arrived in Whangarei in 1983, working with the community arts council, then the first Women’s Refuge and Rape Crisis Centre in Whangarei. Following this I enjoyed running and owning my own business.

In 1997 I was hit by a cattle truck while riding my horse. This accident left me 40% Impaired on one side of my body. After 3 years of rehabilitation I started a job at CCS with youth and adults. I am currently a committee member of Disabled Persons Assembly Northland. I am interested in working towards social change and human rights.

Kia ora, I hail from Whangarei and having lived overseas for some years  I am back in my Turangawaiwai.

I have a career background within the health sector – both adult and paediatric nursing. I made the transition to the disability sector following my diagnosis with Multiple Sclerosis which resulted in this change: into and with, the disability sector. My opportunities within this sector have exceeded those I anticipated due to its breadth and diversity.

I have worked for and with Tiaho Trust for some time and am passionate about Tiaho’s vision and their work towards that goal. 

I have a genuine interest in both lowering and eliminating the barriers that those with a disability encounter everyday – from concrete paths and other tangible ones to those of perspective and attitude – the former of which are far easier to eliminate!

I’m proud to be associated with Tiaho and their passion for doing what we all know is right…for everyone.

Wally is not just a Trustee for Tiaho Trust he is also one of Tiaho Facilitators who delivers Disability Awareness Training, known as “No Problem, You’re Welcome”. Wally is a wheelchair User and has lived experience with a disability so adds a huge value to our training. For the last two years we have been concentrating on training the Health Sector to ensure our nurses understand the difference between the Social and Medical Models of Disability and how important it is to retain a persons mana and not make assumptions. 

Wally has six tamariki and seven mokopuna  and very soon eight. Ngatikoe Ngapuhi and wairua Australia. He tries to live a healthy lifestyle, very active minded and love water sports such as wakaama.  

 Wally is proud to be part of changing peoples perception on disability through is own actions and the “No Problem, You’re Welcome” training sessons.  

Jonny has a unique combination of disability sector knowledge, business skills and first hand experience of disability issues. He has Cerebral Palsy, and lives in Waipu with his wife. Jonny has two lovely daughters and one moko who is from Ngati Hine decent.  Jonny has been the CEO of Tiaho Trust since it was founded approximately 20 years ago. Jonny has excellent contacts within the Northland community including MSD, MoE, Te Whatu Ora (Northland District Health), and much more. As a Trust we offer free Advocacy for anyone with a disability or whanau of. 

Prior to becoming CEO of Tiaho Trust he spent three years in management positions with two key organisations within the Northland disability sector. He has also served on the National Executive Committee of DPA. Over this time, he has developed strong strategic planning and people management skills, and an innovative approach to problem solving. If you need help or advise the best way to contact me is by email: jonny@tiaho.org.nz

Arlene Carter – Executive Assistant

Kia Ora my name is Arlene Carter and I am Jonny Wilkinson’s EA and the Office Administrator at Tiaho Trust. I have worked for Tiaho Trust since May 2016. Previously working for four different local authorities in the North Island and one in Western Australia, as a Community Development/Youth/Grants Officer. In this role I had a lot to do with Event Management and Inclusion. While I enjoyed my role and time in Australia, there is no place like home.

On my return to NZ from Australia, I spent four months complete with tent, fishing rod and a cheap car travelling around the South Island enjoying our own country, meeting some awesome people and catching some seriously tasty fish.

Having previously been a volunteer Ambulance Officer in Whitianga for over six years and my mother having passed away with MND,  my father who lived with me for over 24 years, the last year of his life living with dementia and me have hearing impairments, I have a sound understanding of the challenges disabled people face.

At Tiaho Trust we are here to help your organisation, whanau or you as an individual, so please pop in or give us a call.

I am a local Northlander and have worked in the disability sector for many years since my middle child was born with a Profound hearing loss. Encouraged and empowered by seeking the knowledge I needed I set off on the journey of ensuring she would have the best possible education and social outcome. That led on to me Teacher Aiding for ten years,  then five years Administrator for the National Parent’s of Deaf Children and then two years with Parent to Parent. I have worked for Tiaho Trust for just over 10 years.

My work takes me into the Mid North and Far North on a weekly basis.  I help promote the 16 Disability groups in Tiaho’s Northland Disability Information Advisory Services (DIAS) Collective and network with other Community Groups or organisations in the Mid and Far North. My primary role is to support effective referrals to the Collective or other organisations.

Being able to contribute to the improvement of the health and wellbeing of people with a disability and be responsive to their needs by providing access to information and services they don’t know about makes my work very rewarding.

I encourage you to use my service, to ask any question about disabilities and my promise is that I will find the answer for you or put you on to the appropriate people.