Te Roopu Taurima is New Zealand’s largest kaupapa Māori disability support provider, offering services to people of all ethnicities with intellectual impairments in Te Tai Tokerau, Tāmaki Makaurau, Waikato, and Waitaha regions.
In collaboration with the Ministry of Health and a large mainstream provider set up as part of the deinstitutionalisation movement to recognise and improve the rights of tāngata, Te Roopu Taurima was established as Aotearoa’s largest kaupapa Māori provider in 1999.
This move from a mainstream provider and service model towards kaupapa driven service delivery was a direct response to a system where tāngata whaikaha were institutionalised, and resided in a service environment that was deemed insensitive to Te Ao me ngā Tikanga Māori (Māori world views, customs and practices).
Despite best efforts, life outcomes for these service users were not optimised in a mainstream setting. The tensions between law and lore to meet the need of service users could no longer be ignored.
Since the beginning Te Roopu Taurima has continued to grow in response to tāngata whaikaha Maori and their whanau who choose organisations that reflect their own whanau values based on principles of Whanaungatanga – Engagement, Tika – Correctness and Quality, Whakapono – Trust, Aroha – Kindness, and Kia Mārama – Transparency.
In 2022, we launched our new five-year Strategic Plan to further enhance the care we provide to tāngata and their whānau.
We are dedicated to continuously improving and adapting our services to meet the evolving needs of tāngata. We are proud of our legacy and excited for the future as we continue to uphold kaupapa Māori principles.
For more details on our story and services, visit our Contact Us page or email us at info@terooputaurima.org.nz.
Tari Matua and Tari ki Tāmaki Makaurau
National Office and Auckland Office
650 Great South Road
Ellerslie
Auckland 1051
New Zealand
PO Box 22 346
Auckland 1640
Email: info@terooputaurima.org.nz