The principles of Enabling Good Lives were established in 2011. For 11 years, they have been the guiding principle in how disability services should be set up, structured, and delivered on behalf of the clients that we serve.
NorthAble has worked hard to embed these into our day-to-day operations and roles. They are part of what we do and how we do it.
Disabled people are in control of their lives.
Invest early in families and whānau to support them; to be aspirational for their disabled child; to build community and natural supports; and to support disabled children to become independent, rather than waiting for a crisis before support is available.
Disabled people have the support tailored to their individual needs and goals, and that takes a whole life approach rather than being split across programmes.
Disabled people are supported to live everyday life in everyday places. They are regarded as citizens with opportunities for learning, employment, having a home and family, and social participation - like others at similar stages of life.
Disabled people are supported to access mainstream services before specialist disability services.
The abilities and contributions of disabled people and their families are recognised and respected.
Disabled people have supports that are simple to use and flexible.
Supports building and strengthening relationships between disabled people, their whānau and the community.
In 1990, the Northland Disabilities Resource Centre Trust was formed by a small group of people with lived experience of disability who had identified the lack of readily available information about disability services in Northland. Initially the organisation operated as a DIAS (Disability information and Advisory Service), but other services were added as the need was identified. In 1996 they had outgrown the original office and moved to 40 John St.
In 2005 the name of the organisation officially changed to NorthAble Matapuna Hauora. Under this banner, which focuses not only on disability, but the whole concept of wellbeing, the organisation continues to grow, with new services added to meet the ever-changing needs of our population throughout Te Taitokerau and the whole of Aotearoa New Zealand.
Our logo has been refined over the years to evoke values and direction of our organisation. In 2021 we adopted the Koru shape which represents peace, tranquility, change and personal growth. But it was also inspired by Northland and the harmony between the land and the sea. The 3 words, evoking, empowering and compassion were all considered when designing the logo concepts which come across in this design.
This Taonga was designed and woven by Polly Rau. She was moved by the input of Disability Resource Centre participants into the Huarahi Maori programme during their weaving session and wanted to acknowledge their creations. The Taonga speaks of a person’s journey through life, beginning at the time of conception. This taonga is hung in a meeting room to awhi the Tukutuku and the tangata Hauaa.
Nga Kete were made for Northland Disabilities Resource Centre by then manager, Joanne Samuel. These kete are a contemporary interpretation of the three baskets of knowledge. All three are made from harakeke, or flax. The topmost kete speaks of the earth, the mountains, of growing things and our physical lives. The second kete speaks of the ocean, te moana, the cleansing power of water and our emotional lives. The lowest kete talks of the air, our breath and our spirit, and the movement of experience and learning that is necessary in our lives.
Tena ra……. E te iwi e
Ko matou tenei
Te Maataapuna Hauora
E tu atu nei
ki te mihi kia koutou
Ki te Atua
Nga whakawhetai maha
Mo nga manaakitanga
Ki runga I a tatou
Titiro mai e te iwi
Ki tenei roopu manaaki
Aroha mai… ki a matou
Nga kaiawhina kaiwhakahaere
o te kaupapa
Awhinatia tautokotia
Te hunga hauaa o te taitokerau
E rapu nei he oranga mo ratou
Kia piki ano
te hinengaro me te wairua
Ki te taumata hirahira
O nga whakaaro
Korihi ano
General Manager - Contract Commissioning Service Delivery
General Manager - Business Services and Operations
Chair
Marion’s career in leading, delivering, managing, and developing health and social services systems has spanned times of major social change. As CEO of Platform Trust from 1990 – 2020, Marion’s work supported a national collaboration of community health and disability organisations. This work was to represent the perspectives, challenges, and achievements of these community organisations to the multiple Government entities that fund, oversee, monitor and scrutinise providers of health and disability support across Aotearoa. It reinforced her long-held view that community organisations and activity are critical to preserving all citizens' inclusion. Marion has local and national governance roles and is currently the chair of NZ Navigator Trust, a Director of Wild Bamboo and a trustee of Weeds Action Native Habitat Restoration Trust. In 2018 Marion was made a member of the New Zealand Order of Merit for services to people with mental health and addiction issues.
Treasurer
Alistair comes from Glasgow, Scotland arriving in NZ in 1983. He is married with one son and two grandchildren. He graduated from Strathclyde University Glasgow and is a qualified Chartered Accountant. He is a member of the Scottish and New Zealand Institutes of Chartered Accountants and works for the Department of Conservation in Northland and Auckland. He was a manager of the Corporate Services Department of the Whangarei District Council for seven years. Before that, he was with Thomas de La Rue-Banknote Printers in financial roles in NZ, England and Kenya. He is also a graduate of Leadership NZ and looks forward to new learnings during his contribution to NorthAble.
Trustee
Ko Ngāpuhi, Ngātihine, Ngāti Porou te iwi. Tupu ake a Mereana i Tautoro. Mereana grew up in Tautoro. Ngākau nui ana ia i te hauora whānui o te tangata ahakoa ko wai. She is passionate about the health and well-being of people no matter who they are. Mahi ia mō te Hauora Māori mō te wā roa. She has worked in the Māori Health arena for some time. Nā tōna wharanga i 2004, whakamahi ana ia i tētahi tūru wīra. E whakapau kaha ana ia ki te tautoko ngā tāngata whaikaha. Due to her injury in 2004, she uses a wheelchair. She gives her all in the support of ngā tāngata whaikaha. He Kaitiaki a Mereana i tēnei wā ki runga i te Poari o NorthAble Matapuna Hauora. Mereana is currently a trustee on the Board of NorthAble Matapuna Hauora. Hei tā Mereana, “Mā te mahitahi ka tutuki ngā kaupapa”. As expressed by Mereana, “By working together objectives are achieved” Tohu: Bachelor of Arts, Bachelor of Theology, Holy Order of Priest, Post Graduate Diploma in Arts with Distinction, Bachelor of Laws. Kia kaha rā tātau!
Trustee
Sandie was co-founder of the Northland Disabilities Resource Centre in the late 80s, the forerunner to NorthAble as it is today. A wheelchair user since an accident in 1978, she returned to Whangarei four years ago after a move to Wellington in the late 1990s. She has significant experience in the sector, having worked in senior roles in government agencies and as a provider organisation's CEO More recently, as a quality auditor of health and disability services, as well as a consultant providing services to businesses, NGOs, government, and local body organisations around disability. Sandie is passionate about her role as a trustee, to support NorthAble as they move forward into a changing environment that will enable people with disability to have more control over their life journeys.
Trustee
Carol has worked at a senior level in government agencies, appointed as the first Deputy Director General of Disability Support Services in the Ministry of Health. Carol has managed several services in the health, disability, mental health, and addiction sectors. In governance roles, Carol has assisted in establishing Trusts such as Take My Hands Trust and worked alongside Boards to ensure sound governance practices are in place. In Northland, this has included becoming the Chair of the Whangarei Budgeting Service. Carol enjoys working alongside teams to assist them in developing their full potential and ensure that vulnerable families within the community are supported well so they can live their best lives.
Finance Administrator
Financial Mentor
Financial Mentor
Pathway Finder
Senior Financial Mentor
Community Educator
Service Facilitator
NorthAble EQ+ Retail & Sales Supervisor
Service Facilitator
Support Coordinator
Emergency Planner and Response Mentor
LYNKZ Programme Facilitator
Service Facilitator
Front Office Administrator
Āhei Project Coordinator
EQ+ Information and Sales Consultant
Support Coodinator
Service Facilitator
Chair
Facilitation Services Lead Facilitator
Facilitation Services Lead Facilitator
LYNKZ Facilitator
Our Āhei Internship team want someone to join them who has the skills, networks and capabilities to support rangatahi whaikaha (youth with disabilities) into meaningful internships and sustainable employment opportunities. We are looking for an Employment Pathway Broker who can liaise with businesses and support interns and their family / whānau throughout their time with us and beyond. This program offers interns not only work experience, but also teaches key work-readiness skills, builds mana and opportunities for rangatahi whaikaha to move into and stay in employment.
Lived experience of a disability of any kind will be advantageous to this role, and we encourage those who identify as disabled to apply. We are more than happy to provide supports and/or accommodations for the interview process. Please advise upon the application of any support you may need.
As part of the NorthAble team, you will have an opportunity to be part of an organisation that puts people at the heart of what we do, be that our teams or clients. We are a whānau-first organisation, be that at home or our team here at work.
This role is based in Whangārei and is a 30 to 40-hour per-week role. We are flexible on set days and times however the successful candidate will need to be available on Mondays and Fridays. Some occasional weekend or outside-of-office hours work may be required occasionally. This role is on a contract until the 31st of December, 2024.
Duties include:
Skills and Experience:
This is a people-based role, we’re after the right person who can build relationships and rapport quickly and easily.
Benefits:
Success in this role is about bringing yourself to work and being who you are.
If you are interested in this new and exciting opportunity, please apply using the Seek link now.
Please note you must be eligible to work permanently in New Zealand.
For further information and a full copy of the Position Description, please email hr@northable.org.nz or call Kris on (09) 430 0988 for confidential enquiry.
Application close by 28 March 2024 at 5pm. However, we will be screening applications as they come through and may close this earlier if we find the right person (so don’t delay!).
Our Āhei Internship team want someone to join them who has the personability, skills and capabilities to support rangatahi whaikaha (youth with disabilities) into meaningful internships and sustainable employment opportunities. We are looking for a dedicated Mentor who can deliver our established work readiness skills-for-life course in an engaging way and offer pastoral support to interns throughout their time with us and beyond. This program offers interns not only work experience but also teaches key employment skills, builds mana, and provides opportunities for rangatahi whaikaha to move into and stay in employment. This role makes a positive, lasting transformation in young people’s lives and will suit someone driven to make a difference.
Lived experience of a disability of any kind will be advantageous to this role, and we encourage those who identify as disabled to apply. We are more than happy to provide supports and/or accommodations for the interview process. Please advise upon application of any supports you may need.
As part of the NorthAble team, you will have an opportunity to be part of an organisation that puts people at the heart of what we do, be that our teams or clients. We are a whānau-first organisation, be that at home or our team here at work.
The Āhei Mentor Support position is based in Whangārei and is a part-time, 20-hour-per-week role. We are flexible on set days and times; however, the successful candidate will need to be available on Mondays and Fridays. Some occasional weekend or outside-of-office hours work may be required from time to time. This role is on a fixed-term contract until the 26th of September, 2024.
Duties include:
Skills and Experience:
This is a people-based role; we are after the right person to build relationships and rapport quickly and easily.
Benefits:
Success in this role is about bringing yourself to work and being who you are.
For a full copy of the Job Description or to express an interest in this role, please email hr@northable.org.nz. We will send an application form for you to complete and return to the same address.
If you require more information about this role, please contact Kris or Adam on (09) 430 0988.
Applications close on the 28th of March 2024 at 5 pm; however, we will be screening applications as they come through and may close this earlier if we find the right person (so don’t delay!).
We seek a motivated person to join our NorthAble Equipment Plus Retail shop and work within the broader community via the Mobile Van Service. We deliver a high standard of professional advice, information and recommendations on our products and equipment available to purchase and hire.
This is a dynamic customer-focused retail and online shop known for our product range and hire equipment in the Health and Disability Sector, with passion and dedication to meeting the needs of our diverse customers and community. As a Sales and Information Consultant, you will assist customers, drive sales, and ensure that our shop maintains a welcoming and organised environment.
Responsibilities
Requirements
If you are a motivated and customer-focused individual passionate about retail and the health and disability sector, we want to hear from you! Join our team and become part of a diverse community dedicated to serving Te Tai Tokerau.
To apply, please submit your resume and a brief cover letter outlining your relevant experience and why you are the ideal candidate for this position to hr@northable.org.nz. In return, we will send a job application form to be returned to hr@northable.org.nz completed. The application closing date is Friday, 1st March 2024.
For more information about this position, contact Zelde at NorthAble EQ+ on 09 430 3469.
NorthAble relies on the generosity of local businesses and individuals to continue the good work we do.
Below is a list of our supporters.