Total mobility
Total Mobility is a nationwide scheme that provides a transport subsidy to help people with disabilities stay connected within their community.
If you have a disability that prevents you from using public transport, you could be eligible for a 75% subsidy (up to a maximum of $45) on eligible door-to-door transport to help you get around Whangārei and the Far North districts.
The scheme uses an electronic swipe card system. If you:
- have a lasting impairment (six months or more); and
- live in the Whangārei or Far North districts;
then you may be eligible for Total Mobility assistance.
To confirm your eligibility, you will need to contact one of the Total Mobility agencies listed under the Getting a Total Mobility card heading, and undergo an assessment to ensure you meet the national eligibility requirements. There may be a charge for this.
Discounted fares
Total Mobility cardholders effectively receive a 75% discount on their fare – the remaining 25% of the fare plus any costs over and above the maximum subsidy will still need to be paid by the TM cardholder at the end of their journey up to the usual regional cap. As usual, any amount over the regional cap is paid by the user in full.
As a Total Mobility Cardholder, here is what this means for you:
- There is no change for you inside the vehicle
- You will have your TM card swiped, as usual, the normal subsidy will be applied as well as the additional discount and you will pay the driver the balance
- Any further questions please contact either your agency or Northland Regional Council on 0800 002 004.
How the Total Mobility discount works
Total Mobility customers can receive a 75% discount off taxis fares, up to a maximum fare cap of $60 per trip. For trips over $60, Northland Regional Council will only pay a maximum subsidy of $45 subsidy.
The following table shows examples of how fares are calculated with the 75% discount.
| Fare without subsidy | Subsidy amount | Price paid by customer |
| $120 | $45 | $75 |
| $100 | $45 | $55 |
| $65 | $45 | $20 |
| $40 | $30 | $10 |
| $35 | $26.25 | $8.75 |
| $30 | $22.50 | $7.50 |
| $14 | $10.50 | $3.50 |
| $10 | $7.50 | $2.50 |
| $7 | $5.25 | $1.75 |
Getting a Total Mobility card
You need a current Total Mobility card to qualify for the 75% subsidy. To get a card, you need to be assessed, provide a recent photograph and contact details so a card can be produced for you.
If you lose your Total Mobility card, report it to council as soon as possible. There is no charge for the card.
A caregiver/support person can travel with the holder of the card if s/he so wishes. No one else is entitled to use the card.
Who do I contact for an assessment?
Far North residents:
Please contact our Total Mobility Coordinator Anita Child at Northland Regional Council for an assessment.
Phone: 0800 002 004
Whangārei residents:
| Agent | Contact number | Contact person |
| Age Concern - Whangārei 16 Manse Street Regent Whangārei 0112 |
Phone: 438 8043 Email: info@ageconcernwhg.org.nz |
Betty Smith |
| Blind Low Vision 277 Kamo Road Whangārei |
Phone: 437 1194 Email: kmitchel@blindlowvision.org.nz |
Kylie Mitchel |
| CCS Disability Action Northland 291 Kamo Road Whau Valley Whangārei 0112 |
Phone: 437 1899 Fax: 437 0209 Email: Michelle.Devine@ccsdisabilityaction.org.nz |
Michelle Devine |
| Cairnfield House PO Box 1478 Whangārei 0140 |
Phone: 437 0186 Fax: 437 2894 Email: reception@cairnfield.co.nz |
Julie Partridge |
| Community Mental Health Services C/O Norton House PO Box 742 Whangārei 0140 |
Phone: 430 4101 Fax: 430 4105 Email: Maria.Keefe@northlanddhb.org.nz |
Maria Keefe |
| The Epilepsy Association of New Zealand (Northland Branch) PO Box 712 Whangārei 0140 |
Phone: 438 5498 Email: northland@epilepsy.org.nz |
Reokore Manuaku |
| Idea Services 151 Bank Street Whangārei 0112 |
Phone: 470 2000 Email: Joanne.Miscall@idea.org.nz |
Joanne Miscall |
| NorthAble Matapuna Hauora 40 John Street Whangārei |
Phone: 430 0988 Email: northable@northable.org.nz |
Reception |
Total Mobility user guides
More information about the Total Mobility scheme is available in the following user guides:
Whangārei
Read the Whangārei Total Mobility user guide (PDF 2.98 MB)
Far North
Read the Far North Total Mobility user guide (PDF 3.07 MB)
Total Mobility around New Zealand
Visit the NZTA website: www.nzta.govt.nz to find a user's guide to the Total Mobility scheme in the different regions around New Zealand.
Transport operators
Four transport operators provide the Total Mobility service in Whangārei and can be contacted on the following numbers:
| A1 Cabs Whangārei | Driving Miss Daisy | Kiwi Cabs | Freedom Drivers Whangārei |
| P: 09 438 3377 | Whangārei P: 09 430 8091 Far North |
P: 09 438 4444 | P: 09 430 0139 | M: 021 0226 1564 E: whangarei@freedomdrivers.co.nz |
Access Whangārei Map
The Tiaho Trust have made available a guide designed to help you find your way around the city, listing mobility parking spaces, accessible amenities including toilets, accommodation, conference, retail and dining options in Whangārei.
Find the Access Whangārei Map on the Tiaho Trust's website at: www.tiaho.org.nz
More information on Total Mobility
For more information on Total Mobility please contact:
Total Mobility Co–ordinator
Email: totalmobility@nrc.govt.nz
Phone: 0800 002 004