Northern Advocate columnist Jonny Wilkinson is the CEO of Tiaho Trust - Disability A Matter of Perception, a Whangārei-based advocacy organisation.
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Comment: Reconnecting after two years can be bittersweet
One day another meeting, another reunion, and another celebration will take place

Opinion: Disabled housing at crisis point in northern region
I didn't realise how bad things were until recently, there's real despair out there.

A Different Light: Thoughts from the disability sector
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
Have the Paralympics broken the global glass ceiling?

Jonny Wilkinson: Another protest has been going on
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?
Latest from Northland's disability sector.

Whangārei's Getting Out There Expo postponed due to Covid uncertainty
Covid cancel culture hits Whangārei disability sector event.

Disability issues ministry on way; good news on house upgrade too
The announcement is proof tenacious lobbying, speaking out and activism can pay off.

Halloween - what's your favourite costume?
Let's keep enjoying these festivities best we can, at whatever Covid level we might be in.

Are we at the vaccination tipping point?
We need to see some light at the end of the tunnel, says Jonny Wilkinson.

Facemask-wearing exemption card process falls short
Let's sort this to provide true equity for those who really cannot wear facemasks.

Kiwi disabled women at Tokyo Paralympics bring home gold
Our women of the pool, track and field have done all Kiwis with disabilities proud.

Spare a thought for those with disabilities during Covid
Whangārei's Blomfield School is organising a drive through vaccination event.

Cameron Leslie's Paralympics decision a no-brainer
"Some things are bigger than sports, right? It was the hardest, easiest decision."

Promoting abilities - disability magazine's theme in 2021
Includes a range of different perspectives on disability, from organisational to personal.

Moving - surprisingly in Google's top five stressful events list
I get it if moving means fleeing a war zone, leaving your country, but moving households?

Sentimental times as Jonny farewells 'the Bismarck'
Jonny Wilkinson's scooter has been around, from Opononi to Invercargill, Aussie to Europe.

The rationale is that you may get a hangover, but it's better than a migraine.
Apparently it's rare to get migraines when you are over 50.

Lots of hot and cold morsels of disability news
Disheartening to see the same issues come up time and time again, writes Jonny Wilkinson.

'Disabled lives matter' - a new chant waiting for wings to fly
A protest from the largest minority in New Zealand took place this week.

Covid-19 vaccine strategy in good hands
Overseas research has found people with disabilities more at risk than non-disabled.

Jonny Wilkinson: Be prepared to bite the hand that feeds
Health Ministry's lack of response to the He Ara Oranga Mental Health Actions is worrying.

Time government focused on real issues, not toys and ties
Government leadership vital to pull it together divided Northland health sector.

Hoping 2021 sees the end of Covid, no more falls
Late last year a simple stumble turned Jonny Wilkinson's memory of December into blur.

Boat trip chance to catch up with old mates
A ding to the forehead and sunburnt shins all part of the fun for Jonny Wilkinson.

Call me anything but 'Buddy'
Sometimes the small things can get under your skin - annoying, niggling, irritating.

Sold for a song - our 1970s retro caravan had to go
I had an epiphany while watching the caravan go off down the road, writes Jonny Wilkinson.

What happened to the disability voice in election result?
While disabled people are the largest minority group we still don't have representation.

When a combover just doesn't quite cut it anymore
The stylish, gangsterish look proved tricky to let go of.

Does the disabled community need cakes and babies?
Inequity holds no prisoners and streams through the disabled community also.

Election opportunity for Northland's disabled community to be heard
Northland has the second highest proportion of disabled people in NZ at 29 per cent.

Falling over common experience for disabled people
Pain shot through my side, like an angry electric eel. My eyes bulged in disbelief.

'Disability' does not equal sick and if it ain't broke …
A disability authority that presides over our services in a holistic way is preferred.

Jonny Wilkinson: Accessible tourism is a no-brainer
Tourism need to cater for all needs.

Jonny Wilkinson: Things are the same but different
It is hard to know what the new normal will look like in the future.

Burning defenceless cellphone towers like witch-hunt
Conspiracy theories have gone off the deep end over beliefs about 5G technology.

Jonny Wilkinson: Adjusting to the new normal
Lockdown has given us a chance to really reflect on what we value.

Glad NZ looks after its disabled, vulnerable in Covid crisis
Our Government has taken decisive action and people have responded so well.

Tough time for many disabled folk in lockdown
Getting essential items, including food, appears to be one of the most prominent issues.

Time to take a break and look out for others
I knew it would move fast but not how fast

Jonny Wilkinson: The chicken is out to get me
Poaching the chicken was never a good idea.

Winter is coming
Google Trends reveals a spike in searches for "Coronavirus beer" - didn't see that coming.

Jonny Wilkinson: Disabled people often disadvantaged during a disaster
Jonny Wilkinson wonders how disabled people were faring during the Aussie fires

Reflections at dawn of a new decade
Not only the end of a year - it's the end of a decade

Comment: Time for less talk, more action on disability
Disabled people deserve a sense of purpose, contribution and place of belonging.

Is it really safe out there?
Populist soundbites target minority groups - is it fair?

Best of 2019: Lessons to learn from The Joker
Chilling message on cost to society when people with impairments are repeatedly let down.

Funding increase for family carers welcome, but ...
There is a piece of dialogue missing in the discussion... when to fly the coop.

Vaccines need to be taken seriously
I went for my flu jab yesterday. I had been procrastinating.

Jonny Wilkinson: Just 'being' doesn't make the cut any more
If you're living in a car, the last thing on your priorities is taking part in research.

Jonny Wilkinson: Balmy balmy nights
One of the warmest March months on record means a good sleep is hard to come by.

Comment: Faith, love and horror
I, like most of us, had never contemplated a mass shooting of this scale in New Zealand.

Ruakaka disability surf day stirs up a storm
A column should be topical and relevant, a challenge when you're writing it in advance.

Would you like sugar with that?
It's always a bitter pill to swallow, negative feedback.

It's hard to be bad when everyone knows you...
As Kath and Kim would say we will present as "plain as an arrowroot biscuit".

Last of the summer whine
2019- Game on! Here we are, back to work, heigh ho, heigh ho, oh no.

Opinion: Life is just a pain in the neck
Jonny Wilkinson's cerebral palsy forced a neck operation - he asks was it worth it.