We are a nationwide not-for-profit organisation formed in 1983 by parents and professionals to support the families of babies, children, teens and adults with any type of disability, neurodivergence or health impairment.
Today, our 14 branches and national office help families across New Zealand by informing, educating, inspiring, and supporting them as they navigate through their experiences. Our services, including Altogether Autism and Care Matters, are all free and confidential.
It was in March 1983 that Garry Hornby, Ray Murray and parents Robin and Rosemary Jones met with 18 parents and representatives of various parent groups in the Auckland area. From this meeting, a group of 12 parents agreed to help set up the Parent to Parent service and to take part in a Support Parent training course led by Garry and Ray.
Training continued through 1983 with parents from various disability areas—and parents were trained as trainers too. While this process was underway, a steering committee guided the development of our support service.
By November 1983, the Parent to Parent service was fully operational and Garry and Ray stood down from the committee to ensure we would be a parent-driven organisation.
More than 40 years later, we remain committed to this core principle. A people-based service where parents connect, inform and support other parents and whānau to create an extended family—a circle of support.
In 1983, JB Munro, then National Director of IHC, persuaded IHC to grant $5,000 to help establish and promote Parent to Parent groups outside Auckland. By 1985, Auckland had been joined by regional groups in Tauranga, Waikato, and Manawatū. The first committee meeting of the national organisation was in March of that year, and the first AGM in May.
“In August 1985, I was formally elected as the first National Coordinator and Sally Duncan became our first National President. I was employed for 5 hours a month!” Shirley Wass / Macdonald.
By 1986, new groups had been established in Central Otago, South Canterbury, North Otago and Whakatāne.
“Our national meetings were held via telephone conferencing – this is a testament to the organisation’s ability to keep up with the times, as this method of communication was certainly not common business practice in those days. How Shirley Wass ever typed up the minutes after these calls with 14 people connected is a mystery to me.” Sally Duncan, First National Chairperson/President 1985-1992
