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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September is Muscular Dystrophy Awareness Month. This is a time to raise awareness, promote understanding, and recognise the strength of people living with muscular dystrophy and their families. Together, we can help build a more inclusive community by learning more, sharing stories, and supporting greater awareness of the challenges and achievements of those affected. Every…
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Charcot-Marie-Tooth (CMT) Awareness Month is an opportunity to raise awareness of one of the most common inherited neurological conditions, while recognising the experiences of those living with CMT and their families. Throughout the month, we encourage our community to learn more about CMT, share stories, and help increase public understanding of its impact on daily…
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Taking place over September, World Alzheimer’s Month is dedicated to uplifting public understanding of Alzheimer’s disease and other forms of dementia. The aim is to increase awareness, reduce stigma, and promote early diagnosis and intervention.
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MS Awareness Week will take place from 14–19 September 2026, providing an opportunity to raise public awareness and understanding of multiple sclerosis (MS), while highlighting the support, information, and services available to people living with MS and their families. Throughout the week, we aim to share knowledge, encourage conversations, and showcase the importance of accessible…

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