Blog

When you are caring for a child with a disability, health condition, or special need, you may have a lot of questions to ask. You may feel lonely or isolated.

Parent to Parent can provide information on over 3600 conditions and issues connected with caring for a child with a disability, health condition or additional need.  ‘Support Parents’ offer a listening ear, share experiences and offer practical suggestions.

This little booklet which you can download below is designed to give you an idea of what we’re about.  We welcome enquires, if you would like to know more please get in touch with us.

Published 01/08/2012

Are we protecting peoples’ rights or just protecting people?  Presentation by Sue Gates, Senior Researcher, Donald Beasley Institute.  Brought to you direct from Dunedin via video conferencing technology.

The Protection of Personal and Property Rights Act 1988 is the principle New Zealand legislation permitting the appointment of substitute decision-makers to assist people who are considered to be unable to make decisions for themselves.

This presentation starts with a basic overview of this very important Act, and then proceeds to a discussion on personal orders, incorporating the appointment of a welfare guardian. The question of who should have a welfare guardian will be thoroughly examined, and whether Enduring Powers of Attorney are the best course of action for protecting the rights of people with disabilities.

Registration are essential for this video conference.  Please contact Carole on (09) 4373337 or phone Toll Free 0508 236236 or E-mail: northland@parent2parent.org.nz

Venue:Parent to Parent Northland, 291 Kamo Road, Kamo
Date: 28 June 2011
Time: 7.00pm until 8.30pm

Do they rock or do they suck?

Many people with disabilities in Whangarei require the services of a taxi company with a Mobility Van to take part in activities in their community.

Tiaho Trust would like to hear from people who use a mobility van to find out if the service is meeting their needs.

i.e. Do you get picked up on time?  Do you have to travel with others who have also booked the van, and does this make you late?  Can you book a van to take you out after 5pm?  How are you treated?
Please click here to take a short surveyto give us your feedback.

Published 24/05/2011

NorthAble now has Disability Information and Equipment available in the main street of Dargaville.

Customers in the Kaipara area will also be able to purchase or order a selection of disability equipment including ‘Daily Aids’ to make your lives easier and ‘Mobility Equipment’ including wheelchairs, seat walkers, walking sticks and crutches.

Visit the Dormaville Craft Market at 98 Victoria Street, Dargaville or contact the NorthAble office on freephone 0508 637 200 for more information.

Published 19/08/2009

“Help the Northland District Health Board achieve a non-disabling culture and improve services for people with disabilities”

The Northland District Health Board  is currently developing a Disability Strategy Implementation Plan and  through Tiaho Trust is seeking  input and  feedback from disabled people, their families  and whanau. 

The aim of the Northland District Health Board’s Disability Strategy Implementation Plan is to set the strategic priorities for the three year period between 2009 and 2012 to guide them in their achievement of a non-disabling culture within NDHB and to ensure that the services they provide are responsive to the needs of disabled people.

If would like to give your feedback on the plan by participating in a focus group discussion please contact Tiaho Trust on 09 430 3406 or by emailing .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)

There is a new Disability Information and Advisory Service in Kaitaia.

Disabled people, their whanau, carers and the general community now have access to fourteen specialist disability information and advisory support service providers in the Far North.

Tiaho Trust, in conjunction with Parent to Parent, has contracted Te Runanga O Te Rarawa to establish and deliver a disability information outreach service in Kaitaia.

The outreach service office has been established in the offices of Te Runanga O Te Rarawa at 16 Matthews Avenue, Kaitaia.

It is envisaged that the Kaitaia office will provide a high profile base for Northland’s Disability Information Advisory Service providers.  This will improve the accessibility and utilisation of disability information by both disabled and able bodied people in the Far North.

Having access to Te Runanga O Te Rarawa offices will also provide an opportunity for DIAS providers to come together and share resources including information, knowledge, business functions, training, and support services.

The Northland DIAS Collective will also benefit from the opportunity to work more collaboratively and co-operatively and develop relationships with other organisations in the Far North.

Karen Riwai and Audrey Beazley Somervell are the key contact persons within Te Runanga O Te Rarawa for the disability information service.  You can contact Karen or Audrey on 09 408 0141

Karen says they are looking forward to providing this service to their community in the Far North, walking beside individuals to ensure they make contact with organisations that can further support them.

Published 15/04/2009

Hardcopy downloadable:  Accessible map – Whangarei updated June 2025

Tiaho Trust has worked alongside the Whangarei District Council and CCS Disability Action Northland to develop a map identifying accessible public amenities, parking, restaurants, hotels and bars in Whangarei.

One of the main objectives behind this map was not only to identify accessible buildings and services but to promote Whangarei as a desirable holiday destination for disabled people of all ages.  The rationale is to make accessibility not just a “nice to do” ethical issue but a business driven imperative.

Published 11/06/2025

Individualised Funding is now available in Northland.

After years of waiting, disabled people now have the option of applying for Individualised Funding through the NASC agency to see if this is an appropriate option for them.

Manawanui In Charge (MIC), the Ministry’s contracted Individualised Funding agent, have recently met with Northable in Whangarei to provide training and information around supporting people who may be interested in applying for Individualised Funding.  The rollout of individualised funding is still part of a ‘pilot’ project started in 2006 through Manawanui InCharge.

If any person is interested in Individualised Funding they should contact their local NASC about this option. 

The following are the eligibility criteria set through the Ministry of Health, which needs to be met before any referrals are made to Manawanui-In-Charge.

• An applicant must meet the definition of “younger disabled people with complex needs under the age of 65”
• An applicant must not be DHB-funded
• An applicant 50-55 years of age must not be assessed as close in interest to a person 65 and over
• An applicant must not be in need of residential care.
• An applicant must not have Mental Health support needs.
• An applicant’s support needs must have been stable over the past 6-12 months (OR if not, approval must be given by the MoH).
• An applicant’s total package of support costs must be $55,000 or less per year (OR again, if not, approval must be given by the MoH).

Individualised funding at present covers personal care and home management support hours only.

Having assessed the eligibility criteria the NASC agency will send through an application to MIC.  Once an application has been approved through the Ministry of Health, MIC will ensure a Coach contacts the person, family/Whanau to go over what is required to set up individualised funding. 

The coaches’ initial visit is to provide an overview to the family ensuring they understand what their responsibilities are and to provide a support plan around setting up their own support requirements.  This process can take some time to set up, with the coach being available to provide the necessary support and information through each step of the way.

Should you want to find out more about this individualised funding ‘option’ please contact Manawanui InCharge :
0508 462 427 (free phone) and ask for Rob Creagh or Sandra Macaulay
Email us at .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)

The getOutThere program has come to Whangarei.

This programme is targeted at getting people with cerebral palsy (who have a Total Mobility card and are a member of the Society) out into the community more.

It is a voucher system that helps fund that part of the taxi fare that is not covered by the Total Mobility Scheme in your area.

The Cerebral Palsy Society identified in its strategic plan that transport is a major issue. The Total Mobility programs that local authorities operate, subsidises taxi fares by approximately 50% and is an excellent program. However, even taking advantage of this program, the remaining 50% can be a burden which often restricts travel to essential outings only, such as doctors visits.

Using limited dollars for social occasions is a tough decision. For those with cerebral palsy that have their own transport, getting out there is much easier, however parts of travel can be a real hassle. Entry and exit from the vehicle, getting parking, then the journey from where the vehicle is parked to the final destination can all be rather daunting.

The getOutThere program was launched to make it cheaper to travel by taxi. It is a simple system where the Society give vouchers (approx.$200/user/6mths) that help pay for that part of the fare not covered by the Total Mobility
program. The amount of vouchers should, on average, enable a user to double the number of trips taken per year.

The vouchers can be used at the user’s discretion but are designed to increase their social interaction.

Please note that currently only Kiwi Cabs accept these vouchers in Whangarei.

Download the supporting document to find out more or visit the Cerebral Palsy Society Of New Zealand website to download an application form or to apply for membership of the CP Society.

Published 02/07/2008