Our Mission
Te Tiihi Nui Trust will work with young adults in the Coromandel who have varying levels of disability and provide them with a sense of purpose and belonging in the community.
In every community there is a group of individuals that need that little bit of extra care and attention to help get them through their daily lives.
They may have challenges that are physical, cognitive, or perhaps a combination of both. As young children, under the age of five, these people are the sole responsibility of their caregivers, parents and/or whanau and they are assessed to find the level of challenges they face. This dictates how much government funding they receive.
When they reach school age, they come under the umbrella of the education system. In bigger communities this may mean them entering a mainstream school as a special student or, in the extreme, they might attend a dedicated special needs school. In Whitianga and surrounding area, and depending on their needs, it entails them becoming a student in the Mercury Bay Area School Learning Support class.
The education system is great for this type of student. It makes good use of the funding they receive and provides support and structure for the student and their families.
Current legislation allows people to remain at school until the age of 21. After this, the young adults must head off into the wide world to continue their lives. As with the education system, bigger communities have a wide range of activities and support available to make this group feel wanted and valued members of the community.
For our young adults in Whitianga there is nothing available locally to provide this support. At best, travel to Thames, Hamilton or Auckland is required to achieve a positive outcome. At worst, this means individuals may have to leave their home and families to access opportunities.
To provide the support our young adults need without leaving the locality Te Tiihi Nui (The Big Cheese) Trust was created.
Why ‘The Big Cheese’? The Cambridge Business Dictionary has this definition (abridged) - an important person with a lot of influence. We believe every individual deserves to be the big cheese in their own lives.
A Little Background …
In 2016 Kieran, then aged 16, moved to Whitianga with his parents Paul and Fleur. Early in his life he was diagnosed with Global Development Delay that, in short, means he needs continuous care and supervision 24/7.
In a town like Whitianga he absolutely thrived. From the school he attended, the friends he made, the people who care, the safe and nurturing environment that a small town gives so freely - it all made life so wonderful!
When Kieran turned 21 his school years and the structure it provided were over. So what next? What happens in a small town for young people like Kieran when the structure, routine and purpose of school is over?
While Kieran is fairly low maintenance, his level of disability means he continues to need that full time support, focused mainly around personal care, safety and awareness.
Whitianga and the surrounding areas offer so much to so many people but the disability support sector is seriously lacking. There are very few opportunities where Kieran and those like him can easily be included without the need to travel or move some distance. This is sad and unacceptable. Kieran deserves a meaningful life, brimming with possibilities and excitement, along with everything else life has to offer.
Given the shortfall of support in the area, Mum and Dad decided to find a way to fill ‘the gap’. After talking with others in the community who were like minded, the concept of Te Tiihi Nui Trust was born.
Paul and Fleur believe that every young person deserves to be involved in our community and achieve to the level they are able. They are committed to do whatever it takes to ensure there are opportunities in place for young people in the area, similar to Kieran, to belong, thrive and be valued.