The Pacific Information Advocacy and Support Services (PIASS)
Trust was established in 2000 by members of a group, made up of Pacific disabled people
and/or Pacific people working in disability related areas, with experience in health and
disability related issues. The founding
members of this group consisted of Ms Lita Foliaki, Ms Leota Tahaafe, Ms Elisapeta Lavea,
Mr Ava Faamoe, Mr Tuúta Pomeé, Mr Moananu Okesene and Mr Kenneth Aiolupe. This group formulated and presented a proposal on
December 2002 on issues and challenges they thought were significant in serving the needs
of Pacific disabled people. PIASS is a
Charitable Trust governed by a Board of Trustees. The
founding members were the first Board of Trustees.
PIASS Trust was established to deliver services for Pacific
disabled people by Pacific disabled people who ensure services are base on first hand
experience of the challenges of living in a disabling society in Auckland. The Trust has
developed relationships with key stakeholders to advance its aims and objectives. These key stakeholders include: The Ministry of
Health (MOH), District Health Board (DHB), PHO’s, City Councils, Government
Departments, Disability Organisations and various other organizations. Successful delivery of services is a result of
successful management of these key relationships.
The organization is funded through contracts with the Ministry of
Health, Counties Manukau DHB and Waitemata Health DHB, to provide services ranging from
provision of information, advocacy and support services for Pacific people with
intellectual, physical, sensory, age related and multiple disabilities to providing
activities and programmes for Pacific elderly in the Auckland region.
PIASS Trust also conducts research activities and provides advice
to the Ministry of Health and other related organizations on Pacific Disability issues.
PIASS Trust’s main aims are to educate, support and lead the
way to improve lives of Pacific disabled people.
