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.

Our CAAs are trained in supportive communication techniques, skilled at facilitating groups, and passionate about communication accessibility for those adjusting to reconnect after acquiring aphasia. Please note that AphasiaNZ does not provide Speech-language Therapy (SLT).

We currently offer a face-to-face CAA service in the following locations: Auckland, Waikato West and Hamilton, Hauraki Plains and Thames, Western Bay of Plenty/Tauranga, the Central North Island (Taupō and Turangi), Hawkes Bay (Napier and Hastings), Wellington and the lower North Island including Whanganui, Palmerston North and the Wairarapa, Christchurch, Dunedin, Central Otago and Invercargill. 

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)

Vacant
Tamaki Makaurau (Auckland) North and West

L Mains-Barnett
Tamaki Makaurau (Auckland) Central and Franklin

Vacant
Tamaki Makaurau (Auckland) South

C Grbin
Waikato West and Central

B Robb
Hauraki Plains and Thames

K Milford
Tauranga Moana

Vacant
Eastern Bay of Plenty (around Whakatane)

Vacant
Rotorua

M Dakin
Central North Island (Taupō and Turangi)

M Bevin
Te Matau-a-Māui (Hawkes Bay – Napier/Ahuriri and Hastings/Heretaunga)

J Buckley
Te Whanganui-a-Tara (Wellington) and the lower North Island

E Maxwell
Waitaha (Canterbury) – Based in Christchurch/Ōtautahi

M Jones
Ōtepoti (Dunedin)

C McCully
Ōtepoti (Dunedin) PPA group facilitator

E Burnip
Central Otago

F Couldstone
Waihōpai (Invercargill)

For any enquiries about our CAA service, please contact us.

Updated March 2023

Contact a Community Aphasia Advisor (CAA)