About NorthAble

Since 1990, NorthAble's has been providing equipment, information, and disability support services in Te Taitokerau.

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.

Download Northable's 2023 End of Year Report

The principle's are:

Self-determination

Disabled people are in control of their lives.

Beginning early

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.

Person-centered

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.

Ordinary life outcomes

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.

Mainstream first

Disabled people are supported to access mainstream services before specialist disability services.

Mana enhancing

The abilities and contributions of disabled people and their families are recognised and respected.

Easy to use

Disabled people have supports that are simple to use and flexible.

Relationship building

Supports building and strengthening relationships between disabled people, their whānau and the community.

How we became Northlands largest disability support organisation.

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 NorthAble Logo

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.

Taonga Harakeke

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

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.

Te Maataapuna Hauora

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

Meet the team

Janette Searle

Chief Executive Officer

Bio

Adam Dade

General Manager - Contract Commissioning Service Delivery

Bio

Vanessa Jennings

General Manager - Business Services and Operations

Bio

Tracey Rissetto

Finance Accountant

Bio

Katrina Holder

Executive to Chief Executive Officer

Bio

TeRau Arena Allen

Kaiārahi Kaupapa Māori

Bio

The Trustees

Marion Blake
Marion Blake

Chair

Bio

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.

Alistair Drake
Alistair Drake

Treasurer

Bio

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.

Mereana Te Whata
Mereana Te Whata

Trustee

Bio

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!

Sandie Waddell
Sandie Waddell

Trustee

Bio

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.

Carol Searle
Carol Searle

Trustee

Bio

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.

Josie Clayton

Finance Administrator

Vicki Wakefield

Financial Mentor

Jessica McCready

Financial Mentor

Claire Lewinksi

Pathway Finder

Anna McIntosh

Senior Financial Mentor

Shannon Philips

Community Educator

Paytyn Bristow

Service Facilitator

Zelde Morrison-Smith

NorthAble EQ+ Retail & Sales Supervisor

Anne-Marie Morgan

Service Facilitator

Pam Arbon

Support Coordinator

Nicole Ross

Emergency Planner and Response Mentor

Natalie Woods

LYNKZ Programme Facilitator

Anne Leahy

Service Facilitator

Georgia Montrose

Front Office Administrator

Kris Finlayson

Āhei Project Coordinator

Nikita Cleto-Olsen

EQ+ Information and Sales Consultant

Tarien Vanaswegen

Support Coodinator

Tipene Pownceby

Service Facilitator

Marion Blake

Chair

Sharon Tahere

Facilitation Services Lead Facilitator

Alistair Drake

Treasurer

Mereana Te Whata

Trustee

Sandie Waddell

Trustee

Carol Searle

Trustee

Cheyenne Harris

Facilitation Services Lead Facilitator

Abbe Clark

LYNKZ Facilitator

Join the team

See our latest job vacancies

Vacancies

Employment Pathway Broker

30 - 40 hrs per week/Fixed Term Contract

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:

  • Actively liaise with local businesses to create internship work experience roles (primary role).
  • Broker employment opportunities for interns’ post-internship work (primary role).
  • Conduct site and role assessments to match interns to the right job (primary role).
  • Help deliver learning workshops for interns.
  • Work with interns and their whānau in order to create the best environment for success.
  • Managing enrolments, provided course communication, provided support, and tracked the progress of participants.
  • Provide regular updates and support to the Āhei Project Coordinator.
  • Work with multiple key stakeholders to provide a successful internship experience.
  • Support and mentor interns throughout the program.
  • Continuous improvement to the program.

Skills and Experience:

This is a people-based role, we’re after the right person who can build relationships and rapport quickly and easily.

  • Experience in sales (highly regarded).
  • Experience working in an Employment Broker or Human Resources role (highly regarded).
  • Highly organised, proficient administration and business support skills (highly regarded).
  • Experience working with disabled people (desirable).
  • Experience working with youth (desirable).
  • Ability and confidence relating with diverse people with different levels of needs.
  • Excellent and effective written and verbal communication and interpersonal skills.
  • Capacity to work within a team and autonomously with minimal supervision.
  • An understanding of the Enabling Good Lives philosophy, NZ Disability Strategy, Treaty of Waitangi, and the United Nations Convention on Rights of Persons with Disabilities.
  • Familiarity with Tikanga Māori.
  • Have a client-focused approach to work goals.

Benefits: 

  • Work with autonomy and manage your own workload.
  • Hybrid flexible working model.
  • A diversity-inclusive work environment.
  • Family-friendly culture.
  • Laptop and mobile phone.

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!).

Āhei Mentor Support

Part Time/Fixed Term Contract

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:

  • Offer support and assistance to our Lead Mentor.
  • Help facilitate the delivery of learning workshops for interns.
  • Work with interns and their whānau to create the best environment for success.
  • Preparation of program documents using Word, PowerPoint, etc.
  • Provide regular updates and support to the Āhei Project Coordinator.  
  • Work with multiple key stakeholders to provide a successful internship experience.
  • Support and mentor interns in all areas throughout the program.  
  • Provide logistical support for event-related activities, e.g. workshops, travel arrangements, intern onboarding and offboarding.
  • Continuous improvement to the program.

Skills and Experience:

This is a people-based role; we are after the right person to build relationships and rapport quickly and easily.

  • Full driver’s license (necessary).
  • Excellent and effective written and verbal communication and interpersonal skills.
  • Competent and confident in relating to people with different levels of ability.
  • Confident presenting to a (small) audience.
  • Capacity to work within a team and also autonomously with minimal supervision.
  • Experience using computer packages, e.g. Word, PowerPoint, Excel, etc.
  • Proficient administration and business support skills.
  • An understanding of the Enabling Good Lives philosophy, N.Z. Disability Strategy, Treaty of Waitangi, the United Nations Convention on Rights of Persons with Disabilities.
  • Tikanga Māori familiarity. 
  • Have a customer-centric focussed approach.
  • Experience working in a training or educational environment (highly regarded).
  • Experience working with people with disabilities (highly regarded).

Benefits:

  • Work with autonomy and manage your own workload.
  • Hybrid flexible working model.
  • A diversity-inclusive work environment.
  • Family-friendly culture.
  • Laptop and mobile phone.

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!).

Sales and Information Consultant

Part-Time

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

  • Greet and assist customers in a friendly and professional manner.
  • Actively engage customers to sell appropriate products and equipment and/or provide them with information about products and equipment.
  • Provide product knowledge and recommendations to customer based on their needs and preferences.
  • Process transactions accurately and efficiently using our point-of-sale system.
  • Maintain cleanliness and organisation of the shop floor and other areas, including restocking shelves and racks.
  • Monitor inventory levels and accurately place stock orders and receive stock.
  • Handle customer enquiries, concerns, and complaints promptly and effectively.
  • Accurate administration and manage online orders.
  • Deliver our Mobile Van Service across Northland to present and educate on Health & Disability Information and Equipment to Community Groups, Health Professionals, and individuals.
  • Network into the broader community to secure opportunities to conduct presentations.
  • Attend Community Network Meetings as required, professionally representing NorthAble.
  • Collaborate with colleagues to achieve NorthAble vision and goals and maintain a positive work environment.

Requirements

  • Previous experience in retail sales or customer service is preferred but not required.
  • Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
  • Ability to work in a fast-paced environment and handle multiple tasks efficiently.
  • Basic math skills for processing transactions and handling cash.
  • Strong problem-solving abilities and attention to detail.
  • Comfortable with public speaking.
  • A clean and full driving licence, with the ability to drive both manual and automatic vehicles, including a large Transit Van.
  • Flexibility to work evenings, weekends, and holidays as required.
  • Ability to stand, walk, and lift heavy objects for extended periods.
  • Comfortable working in a busy retail environment with exposure to loud noise, outdoors and crowds.
  • Driving a Transit Van throughout Te Tai Tokerau.
  • Knowledge and understanding of Te Tiriti o Waitangi and awareness of Iwi and Crown partnership, including equitable customer service.

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.

Companies that support us

NorthAble relies on the generosity of local businesses and individuals to continue the good work we do.

Below is a list of our supporters.

Lottery Grants Board

Website
Lottery Grants Board

Rothbury Insurance Brokers

A big thanks to Rothbury Insurance Brokers for providing the funding for this website

Website
Rothbury Insurance Brokers
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