Community Aphasia Advisors (CAAs)

Our Community Aphasia Advisors (CAAs) are aphasia experts providing support services, resources, and information to people with and affected by aphasia in New Zealand’s main centres.
CAAs coordinate local AphasiaNZ activities, facilitate Kōrero (conversation) Clubs, run support groups, provide one-on-one home and community visits, and facilitate education sessions and workshops in communities to increase awareness and knowledge of aphasia.
We currently offer a face-to-face CAA service in the following locations: Auckland (North Shore), West Auckland, Waikato, Hauraki Plains and the Thames region, Western Bay of Plenty/Tauranga, Rotorua, the Central North Island (Taupō and Turangi), Hawkes Bay (Napier and Hastings), Whanganui, Wairarapa, Wellington, Christchurch, Dunedin, Central Otago and Invercargill/Southland.
We also have telephone support and a range of online support services available for people who live in other parts of the country. These include online Kōrero Clubs, carer support groups, supported conversation training and progressive aphasia support.
Referrals to the CAA Service
We accept referrals in a variety of ways. Referrals made by health professionals should be completed on our referral form – click here.
Contact us to enquire about making a referral. We accept referrals from anyone, and people can also self-refer.
Our Community Aphasia Advisor (CAA) Team
CAA Team Leader – K Milford (based in Tauranga Moana)
N Chia
Tamaki Makaurau (Auckland) North and West
Vacant
Tamaki Makaurau (Auckland) Central
Vacant
Tamaki Makaurau (Auckland) South
C Grbin
Waikato and remote support
K Ombler
Hauraki Plains and Thames, and part of Tauranga
K Milford
Tauranga Moana and Western Bay of Plenty
Vacant
Eastern Bay of Plenty (around Whakatane)
J Thomas
Rotorua
M Dakin
Central North Island (Taupō and Turangi)
M Bevin
Te Matau-a-Māui (Hawkes Bay – Napier/Ahuriri and Hastings/Heretaunga)
S Martin
Wairarapa
R Wilson
Whanganui
K Daellenbach
Te Whanganui-a-Tara (Wellington)
M Yung
Waitaha (Canterbury) – Based in Christchurch/Ōtautahi
M Jones
Ōtepoti (Dunedin)
A Lunn
Central Otago
M Bell
Waihōpai (Invercargill) and surrounding region
N Lewis
Friends support
For any enquiries about our CAA service, please contact us.
Updated May 2025
Contact a Community Aphasia Advisor (CAA)

