Tiaho Trust is a Northland-based disability trust supporting tāngata whaikaha (people with lived experience of disability), along with their whānau and carers, to live full, connected lives in their communities. The term tāngata whaikaha emphasises strength and identity rather than deficit, reflecting Tiaho’s belief that people are not defined by disability, but by who they are.
The trust connects people across Te Tai Tokerau to a wide support network of organisations offering disability information, advice, and specialist services. They also run Wānanga Tūhono, a leadership development programme for disabled people, tāngata whaikaha Māori and whānau hauā, along with disability awareness training for workplaces.
Other services include a wheelchair-accessible respite house in Whangārei for holidays, short stays and funded respite, plus regular news and resources such as the fortnightly column A Different Light and the annual Getting Out There magazine.