Our History

Taikura Trust was established in partnership between mana whenua of Tāmaki Makaurau (Ngāti Whātua and Puukaki ki te Aki Tai), tāngata whaikaha, and tagata sa’ilimalo .

Taikura’s founders shared lived experience of disability, both professional and personal. Under the frameworks of Te Tiriti o Waitangi, the NZ Disability Strategy, and the UN Declaration on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, Taikura’s kaupapa was formed. Led by the desire for tāngata whaikaha and whānau to get support, enjoy independence, and live life on their own terms.

The name ‘Taikura’ was gifted to us by kaumatua from Ngāti Kahungunu in Hawke’s Bay.

Taikura is a rock – a traditional abundant food gathering site – off the coast of the Ngāti Kahungunu region. Standing strong in the ocean, it provides stability in both calm and stormy seas. Just as Taikura Trust does, in the lives of tāngata whaikaha and whānau.

Since the late 1990s, NASC has been the gateway through which disabled New Zealanders access government-funded supports. For years, these NASC services were delivered by five separate organisations across the Auckland region. Until, in 2001, the government decided to shift to a single provider.

Taikura Trust secured the contract. And on July 1st 2002, the charitable trust officially opened its doors. Becoming the first iwi-governed organisation to be awarded a mainstream disability contract. It was estimated that there were between 2000 – 4000 people accessing the system at the time. By 2009 Taikura was supporting more than 10,000 people.

Taikura Trust’s first NASC contract covered those living in greater Auckland, under 65 years old, with a physical or sensory disability or autism – and children up to 16 with an intellectual disability.

However, in 2005, Taikura Trust’s NASC services expanded to include adults aged 17-65 with an intellectual disability. This significantly broadened the number of lives touched by Taikura, extending its reach to one in three New Zealanders receiving disability supports.

In November 2018, Taikura’s services grew yet again, with the addition of two components of the ACC-funded Living My Life service.

Across Auckland, Kaipara, Whangārei and the Far North, we work with disabled people and whānau supported by ACC. Using innovative techniques to help develop tailored plans to grow independence, control and choice within disabled people’s lives.

Together with Specialist Rehab Services (SRS), Taikura Trust launched Way Finders in September 2019. Way Finders is the nationwide ACC funded navigation service, there to help people work through the complexities and challenges of the process.

Via phone, email or Zoom, Way Finders provides invaluable information and support. The service empowers people to grow their knowledge and capability, so they can take control of their own journey. To date, Way Finders has guided over 4,000 ACC clients and counting, with engagement – and extraordinary feedback – growing by the day.

In 2020, Taikura Trust established Kaikaranga Holdings Limited (Kaikaranga), to take on management of the organisation’s ever-growing operations. This wholly owned subsidiary allowed Taikura to focus on disability leadership and advocacy, and strengthen Kaikaranga’s capacity even further.

The leadership, skills and experience of the Kaikaranga directors brought new energy. Energy which would prove invaluable throughout the challenges of the pandemic and floods that were soon to come.

2024 marks a year of evolution; from the steadfast foundations of Taikura Trust into Kaikaranga. With a refreshed focus and renewed energy, Kaikaranga is our welcoming call to all disabled people and their whānau.

While Kaikaranga continues to provide a connecting thread for greater Auckland’s disabled community, Taikura Trust also continues its important mahi. Investing in disability leadership, advocating for families, whānau and aiga, and honouring the legacy of its founders. Mana o te whenua of Tāmaki Makaurau, Ngāti Whātua and Puukaki ki te Aki Tai, tāngata whaikaha, whānau haua, and tāgata sa’ilimalo.

Today, Kaikaranga supports almost 17,000 people to access the disability support system; and through their families, whānau, aiga, friends, and communities, we touch the lives of thousands more.​

Living a good life is about more than funded disability support. Kaikaranga will continue to find ways to connect disabled people to any support they need, when they need it.