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Jonny Wilkinson
Northern Advocate columnist

Northern Advocate columnist Jonny Wilkinson is the CEO of Tiaho Trust - Disability A Matter of Perception, a Whangārei-based advocacy organisation.

We are your advocate, Aotearoa. Uncovering stories that matter, asking hard-hitting questions of those in power, live-blogging sport events, monitoring the highs and lows of the NZX and providing Premium expert opinion and analysis. Bringing you distinctive, quality journalism and breaking news from across New Zealand and around the world. With specialists working together to create indepth reads, engaging video, and unmissable podcasts.

Check out Jonny’s latest content
Opinion: Embracing the hot-cold dance of Northland winters
Opinion

Opinion: Embracing the hot-cold dance of Northland winters

13 Jun 04:00 PM
Opinion: Budget boosts for disability sector but gaps remain
Opinion

Opinion: Budget boosts for disability sector but gaps remain

30 May 05:00 PM

This Budget isn’t nearly as brutal for the disability sector as announcements last year.

Jonny Wilkinson: Public toilets can be quite the challenge
Opinion

Jonny Wilkinson: Public toilets can be quite the challenge

16 May 05:00 PM

In Whangārei we have a good range of accessible toilets.

Opinion: Lessons to be learned on how we respond to our most vulnerable
Opinion

Opinion: Lessons to be learned on how we respond to our most vulnerable

28 Mar 04:00 PM

Let’s hope this is examined in the investigations surrounding this shocking case.

Jonny Wilkinson: The wasp encounter did nothing to ease my phobia
Opinion

Jonny Wilkinson: The wasp encounter did nothing to ease my phobia

14 Mar 04:00 PM

The pain from the stings seemed to increase every minute.

Opinion: Navigating accessibility challenges on family trip to Fiji
Opinion

Opinion: Navigating accessibility challenges on family trip to Fiji

28 Feb 04:00 PM

Travels always have their hiccups and curve balls.

Jonny Wilkinson: Disability reforms could hinder true progress
Opinion

Jonny Wilkinson: Disability reforms could hinder true progress

14 Feb 04:05 PM

The consultation focuses on specific proposals, not a blank canvas.

Jonny Wilkinson: Accessible tourism offers untapped potential
Opinion

Jonny Wilkinson: Accessible tourism offers untapped potential

31 Jan 04:00 PM

OPINION: The cruise ship industry realised all this yonks ago.

Opinion: From ham feasts to plant-based resolutions
Opinion

Opinion: From ham feasts to plant-based resolutions

17 Jan 04:00 PM

Will we sustain our noble nibbling?

Opinion: Navigating a challenging year in the disability sector
Opinion

Opinion: Navigating a challenging year in the disability sector

20 Dec 04:00 PM

' I wish you all an inclusive Christmas and a diverse New Year.'

Jonny Wilkinson: Christmas geeks vs grinches: Celebrating inclusivity whoever we are
Opinion

Jonny Wilkinson: Christmas geeks vs grinches: Celebrating inclusivity whoever we are

06 Dec 04:00 PM

What better way to celebrate than to be part of a festival that embraced inclusivity?

Disabled abuse survivors still face inadequate care - Jonny Wilkinson
Northern Advocate

Disabled abuse survivors still face inadequate care - Jonny Wilkinson

22 Nov 04:00 PM

OPINION: Will apologies be enough to put things right?

Halloween horror: The monster mash that is our current Government, and other stories - Jonny Wilkinson
Northern Advocate

Halloween horror: The monster mash that is our current Government, and other stories - Jonny Wilkinson

25 Oct 04:00 PM

OPINION: Here in Aotearoa we are not big on Halloween.

Jonny Wilkinson: Dogs make our lives a little cuter, a touch crazier and a lot happier
Northern Advocate

Jonny Wilkinson: Dogs make our lives a little cuter, a touch crazier and a lot happier

11 Oct 04:00 PM

OPINION: As far as species go dogs are remarkable survivors.

Jonny Wilkinson: Funding freeze a recipe for most vulnerable to be decimated
Northern Advocate

Jonny Wilkinson: Funding freeze a recipe for most vulnerable to be decimated

27 Sep 05:00 PM

OPINION: The ramifications of the guidelines are as inevitable as they are grave.

Accessible Kaipara District? yeah, nah! - Jonny Wilkinson
Northern Advocate

Accessible Kaipara District? yeah, nah! - Jonny Wilkinson

13 Sep 05:00 PM

OPINION: 'Surely, it’s time to think about ethics and equity in servicing our community.'

Opinion:  The Government are basically saying disabled people are not up for the job
Opinion

Opinion: The Government are basically saying disabled people are not up for the job

30 Aug 05:00 PM

OPINION: Disability support has been grossly underfunded for decades.

Jonny Wilkinson: Northland’s Paralympic athletes will carry with them the hopes of a region.
Northern Advocate

Jonny Wilkinson: Northland’s Paralympic athletes will carry with them the hopes of a region.

16 Aug 05:00 PM

OPINION: The Paralympics is now recognised as a major sporting event.

Jonny WIlkinson: Spotlight on Troy Robertson
Northern Advocate

Jonny WIlkinson: Spotlight on Troy Robertson

19 Jul 09:00 PM

OPINION: Troy is a person who radiates style and charisma.

Jonny Wilkinson:  Freedom of speech doesn’t mean you can insult people
Northern Advocate

Jonny Wilkinson: Freedom of speech doesn’t mean you can insult people

05 Jul 05:00 PM

OPINION: Antiquated words disrespectful to the disability community

Jonny Wilkinson: The Budget could have been much worse
Northern Advocate

Jonny Wilkinson: The Budget could have been much worse

07 Jun 05:00 PM

OPINION: I know there are people who are very unhappy.

Jonny Wilkinson: The hunt was on for a new scooter
Northern Advocate

Jonny Wilkinson: The hunt was on for a new scooter

24 May 05:00 PM

Opinion: Access to things that enable independence can make a huge impact on one's life.

Jonny Wilkinson:  Extremist groups have decided vulnerable and disabled people are fair game
Northern Advocate

Jonny Wilkinson: Extremist groups have decided vulnerable and disabled people are fair game

10 May 05:00 PM

Opinion: Disabled people may be susceptible to influence from extremist groups.

Jonny Wilkinson: When you try to fix something which in turn causes another problem
Northern Advocate

Jonny Wilkinson: When you try to fix something which in turn causes another problem

12 Apr 06:00 PM

OPINION: Why district health nurses are some of the unsung heroes of our health system.

Jonny Wilkinson: Come on Minister Simmonds - we need a champion of our people, not a champion of the covert hatchet
Northern Advocate

Jonny Wilkinson: Come on Minister Simmonds - we need a champion of our people, not a champion of the covert hatchet

29 Mar 04:00 PM

The funding cut news sent shockwaves throughout the disabled community,

Jonny Wilkinson:  Attacking the most vulnerable seems both ineffectual and mean-spirited
Northern Advocate

Jonny Wilkinson: Attacking the most vulnerable seems both ineffectual and mean-spirited

01 Mar 04:00 PM

If you're on the job seeker’s benefit - look out - the roaring taniwha is after you.

Jonny Wilkinson: Showing commitment is all part of life
Northern Advocate

Jonny Wilkinson: Showing commitment is all part of life

16 Feb 04:00 PM

OPINION: Relationships and rituals over a long duration take commitment.

Oops, I did it again - Jonny Wilkinson
Northern Advocate

Oops, I did it again - Jonny Wilkinson

02 Feb 04:00 PM

Opinion: Falling over comes with the territory when you have cerebral palsy.

Opinion: Forget the back-to-work blues and be grateful for the gift of a New Year
Opinion

Opinion: Forget the back-to-work blues and be grateful for the gift of a New Year

19 Jan 05:00 PM

OPINION: Minor holiday mishaps can be frustrating but here's why they are blessings.

Opinion: Reflecting on year with challenges and triumphs
Northern Advocate

Opinion: Reflecting on year with challenges and triumphs

08 Dec 04:00 PM

Jonny Wilkinson takes a look back on how 2023 played out.

Jonny Wilkinson:  The International Day of Persons with Disabilities is to be lived, celebrated, and shared
Northern Advocate

Jonny Wilkinson: The International Day of Persons with Disabilities is to be lived, celebrated, and shared

24 Nov 04:00 PM

Everyone is welcome to come along and take part.

Jonny Wilkinson: Infamous examples of mistakes been made more than once
Northern Advocate

Jonny Wilkinson: Infamous examples of mistakes been made more than once

10 Nov 04:00 PM

If you always do what you have always done, you will always get what you always got.

Opinion: It’s Halloween, what kind of scary political line-up will be delivered?
Northern Advocate

Opinion: It’s Halloween, what kind of scary political line-up will be delivered?

27 Oct 04:00 PM

Be afraid, be very afraid.

Jonny Wilkinson: The long and winding road to the Hokianga
Northern Advocate

Jonny Wilkinson: The long and winding road to the Hokianga

13 Oct 04:00 PM

OPINION: The weekend didn't turn out as planned.

Jonny Wilkinson: Candidates leave us with a lot to think about
Northern Advocate

Jonny Wilkinson: Candidates leave us with a lot to think about

29 Sep 04:00 PM

A special visitor and candidates meeting kept us busy.

Jonny Wilkinson:  Art is a great way to express yourself
Northern Advocate

Jonny Wilkinson: Art is a great way to express yourself

15 Sep 05:00 PM

Give it go- we all have something powerful to say.

Jonny Wilkinson: Where are the parties' disability policies?
Northern Advocate

Jonny Wilkinson: Where are the parties' disability policies?

18 Aug 05:00 PM

OPINION: Let us know if you have any questions for candidates.

Jonny Wilkinson: Basking in the sporting glory of my whānau
Northern Advocate

Jonny Wilkinson: Basking in the sporting glory of my whānau

04 Aug 05:00 PM

Whangārei has a good collection of disabled sporting heroes.

Jonny Wilkinson: Scammers are targeting everybody, including the disabled
Northern Advocate

Jonny Wilkinson: Scammers are targeting everybody, including the disabled

21 Jul 05:00 PM

Columnist Jonny Wilkinson says scammers are even targeting disabled organisations.

A new sign name for Whaikaha, the Ministry of Disabled People
Northern Advocate

A new sign name for Whaikaha, the Ministry of Disabled People

07 Jul 05:00 PM

It is the first time a ministry has received a sign name in New Zealand.

Look at who I am, not what I'm wearing
Opinion

Look at who I am, not what I'm wearing

23 Jun 05:00 PM

OPINION: I took a leaf out of my mother’s book and took the positive angle.

Jonny Wilkinson: So, what's in this year’s Budget for disabled people?
Opinion

Jonny Wilkinson: So, what's in this year’s Budget for disabled people?

26 May 05:00 PM

The new Budget did cop some criticism from the sector.

Jonny Wilkinson: Where our NZ disability advocacy services fail us
Opinion

Jonny Wilkinson: Where our NZ disability advocacy services fail us

12 May 05:00 PM

When Jonny Wilkinson explained why to a committee, he was met with some glazed looks.

Jonny Wilkinson: An ode to Alfie, the pooch teaching valuable life lessons
Northern Advocate

Jonny Wilkinson: An ode to Alfie, the pooch teaching valuable life lessons

28 Apr 05:00 PM

Jonny Wilkinson has learned from his sweet pet that happiness can't exist without sadness.

No fooling Jonny Wilkinson when it comes to disability issues
Northern Advocate

No fooling Jonny Wilkinson when it comes to disability issues

31 Mar 04:00 PM

Disabled advocate Jonny Wilkinson wakes to a brave new world - for today only

Opinion: Disabled people and whānau need to be driving Enabling Good Lives
Northern Advocate

Opinion: Disabled people and whānau need to be driving Enabling Good Lives

17 Mar 04:00 PM

Let me try to explain EGL.

Jonny Wilkinson: Case of 20yo intellectually disabled woman highlights need for resources
Opinion

Jonny Wilkinson: Case of 20yo intellectually disabled woman highlights need for resources

03 Mar 04:00 PM

Appeals for help are often met with the blanket response that nothing is available.

Home we went, with good feelings, abounding
Northern Advocate

Home we went, with good feelings, abounding

17 Feb 04:00 PM

Home we went, with good feelings, abounding

Opinion: Expect the unexpected when organising an event
Opinion

Opinion: Expect the unexpected when organising an event

03 Feb 04:00 PM

Disability advocate Jonny Wilkinson hopes next week's disabled surfing event can go ahead.

Jonny Wilkinson: Making the transition from holiday to work can be hard
Northern Advocate

Jonny Wilkinson: Making the transition from holiday to work can be hard

20 Jan 04:00 PM

As the holidays started drawing to an end, I found myself thinking positive affirmations.

A Different Light: Time to look back on all we have done this year
Northern Advocate

A Different Light: Time to look back on all we have done this year

16 Dec 04:02 PM

The good and bad of 2022.

Jonny Wilkinson: Celebrating International Day of People with Disabilities
Northern Advocate

Jonny Wilkinson: Celebrating International Day of People with Disabilities

02 Dec 04:00 PM

The day doesn’t discriminate between intellectual and physical disabilities.

Jonny Wilkinson:  Time for Government to put money where mouths are
Northern Advocate

Jonny Wilkinson: Time for Government to put money where mouths are

18 Nov 04:00 PM

The dentist is not a visit you relish, but the longer you leave it, the worse it will be.

Jonny Wilkinson: Finally we are making progress
Northern Advocate

Jonny Wilkinson: Finally we are making progress

04 Nov 04:00 PM

The two-year plan identifies priorities for improving health outcomes and equity.

Comment: Does the Accessibility Bill enable or disable?
Northern Advocate

Comment: Does the Accessibility Bill enable or disable?

21 Oct 04:00 PM

Laws aren't to punish sins but to prevent certain outcomes, says Jonny Wilkinson.

It says to New Zealand and the rest of the world that disabled people are not wanted and are a burden
Northern Advocate

It says to New Zealand and the rest of the world that disabled people are not wanted and are a burden

07 Oct 04:00 PM

The policy essentially bars disabled people from other countries from moving here.

Jonny Wilkinson: Survey asks how accessible is the Hundertwasser building?
Northern Advocate

Jonny Wilkinson: Survey asks how accessible is the Hundertwasser building?

23 Sep 05:00 PM

What do you think about the accessibility of the Hundertwasser building or nearby areas?

Who will support our community best?
Northern Advocate

Who will support our community best?

09 Sep 05:00 PM

There are a few changes happening in the job sector at the moment.

Comment: Ableist slurs making a slow exit from pop culture
Northern Advocate

Comment: Ableist slurs making a slow exit from pop culture

12 Aug 05:00 PM

Jonny Wilkinson sheds light on how the language of pop icons affects disabled communities

Comment: If you're looking to remove barriers, car parks and toilets are low-hanging fruit
Northern Advocate

Comment: If you're looking to remove barriers, car parks and toilets are low-hanging fruit

29 Jul 05:00 PM

Won't it be a great day when we have a Minister of Disability Issues who has a disability.

Comment:  I look forward to Old Blighty moving with the times
Northern Advocate

Comment: I look forward to Old Blighty moving with the times

15 Jul 05:00 PM

Throughout his stint in Number 10, Boris Johnson has been involved in countless gaffs.

Comment: Disability needs to be looked from all angles - not just medical
Northern Advocate

Comment: Disability needs to be looked from all angles - not just medical

06 Jul 05:00 PM

Jonny Wilkinson shares an a-ha moment he had about how we consider disabilities

Getting Out There is for everyone
Northern Advocate

Getting Out There is for everyone

17 Jun 05:00 PM

The sign would give it a bit of quirkiness with a subtle reinforcement of the brand.

Comment: How a graze can remind you of your inner strength
Northern Advocate

Comment: How a graze can remind you of your inner strength

03 Jun 05:00 PM

Jonny Wilkinson shares a lesson learned thanks to an unfortunately placed carpet burn

Comment: Reconnecting after two years can be bittersweet
Northern Advocate

Comment: Reconnecting after two years can be bittersweet

06 May 05:00 PM

One day another meeting, another reunion, and another celebration will take place

Opinion: Disabled housing at crisis point in northern region
Northern Advocate

Opinion: Disabled housing at crisis point in northern region

22 Apr 05:00 PM

I didn't realise how bad things were until recently, there's real despair out there.

A Different Light: Thoughts from the disability sector
Northern Advocate

A Different Light: Thoughts from the disability sector

25 Mar 04:00 PM

It's good practice to lean into one's vulnerabilities, says Northland disability advocate.

Jonny Wilkinson: I'm transfixed by the speed and the deftness of our Kiwi Paralympians
Northern Advocate

Jonny Wilkinson: I'm transfixed by the speed and the deftness of our Kiwi Paralympians

11 Mar 04:00 PM

Have the Paralympics broken the global glass ceiling?

Jonny Wilkinson: Another protest has been going on
Northern Advocate

Jonny Wilkinson: Another protest has been going on

25 Feb 04:00 PM

We felt that finally we would no longer be the poor relation of health.

Jonny Wilkinson: Northland back to red, but things could be worse, right?
Northern Advocate

Jonny Wilkinson: Northland back to red, but things could be worse, right?

28 Jan 04:00 PM

Latest from Northland's disability sector.

Whangārei's Getting Out There Expo postponed due to Covid uncertainty
Northern Advocate

Whangārei's Getting Out There Expo postponed due to Covid uncertainty

19 Nov 04:00 PM

Covid cancel culture hits Whangārei disability sector event.

Disability issues ministry on way; good news on house upgrade too
Northern Advocate

Disability issues ministry on way; good news on house upgrade too

05 Nov 04:00 PM

The announcement is proof tenacious lobbying, speaking out and activism can pay off.

Halloween - what's your favourite costume?
Northern Advocate

Halloween - what's your favourite costume?

22 Oct 04:00 PM

Let's keep enjoying these festivities best we can, at whatever Covid level we might be in.

Are we at the vaccination tipping point?
Northern Advocate

Are we at the vaccination tipping point?

08 Oct 04:00 PM

We need to see some light at the end of the tunnel, says Jonny Wilkinson.

Facemask-wearing exemption card process falls short
Northern Advocate

Facemask-wearing exemption card process falls short

24 Sep 05:00 PM

Let's sort this to provide true equity for those who really cannot wear facemasks.

Kiwi disabled women at Tokyo Paralympics bring home gold
Northern Advocate

Kiwi disabled women at Tokyo Paralympics bring home gold

10 Sep 05:00 PM

Our women of the pool, track and field have done all Kiwis with disabilities proud.

Spare a thought for those with disabilities during Covid
Northern Advocate

Spare a thought for those with disabilities during Covid

27 Aug 05:00 PM

Whangārei's Blomfield School is organising a drive through vaccination event.

Cameron Leslie's Paralympics decision a no-brainer
Northern Advocate

Cameron Leslie's Paralympics decision a no-brainer

13 Aug 05:00 PM

"Some things are bigger than sports, right? It was the hardest, easiest decision."

Promoting abilities - disability magazine's theme in 2021
Northern Advocate

Promoting abilities - disability magazine's theme in 2021

30 Jul 05:00 PM

Includes a range of different perspectives on disability, from organisational to personal.

Moving - surprisingly in Google's top five stressful events list
Northern Advocate

Moving - surprisingly in Google's top five stressful events list

16 Jul 05:00 PM

I get it if moving means fleeing a war zone, leaving your country, but moving households?

Sentimental times as Jonny farewells 'the Bismarck'
Northern Advocate

Sentimental times as Jonny farewells 'the Bismarck'

02 Jul 05:00 PM

Jonny Wilkinson's scooter has been around, from Opononi to Invercargill, Aussie to Europe.

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