Acquired brain injury (ABI) — including traumatic brain injury (TBI) from accidents, stroke-related brain injury, and hypoxic brain injury — affects tens of thousands of New Zealanders. ABI can cause physical, cognitive, communication, and behavioural challenges. Grants fund rehabilitation, community support, and participation. This guide covers the key funding sources.
ACC is the primary funder for accident-related ABI in NZ:
- Acute rehabilitation: Inpatient rehabilitation at Burwood (Christchurch), Middlemore (Auckland), Wellington
- Community rehabilitation: Ongoing physiotherapy, occupational therapy, speech language therapy
- Neuropsychology: Cognitive rehabilitation and psychological support
- Support workers: Personal care and community access
- Vocational rehabilitation: Return to work after ABI
- Home and vehicle modification: Accessibility changes
ACC funds ABI resulting from road crashes, sports injuries, workplace accidents, and other injury events.
Whaikaha funds ABI with non-traumatic causes (stroke, infection, tumour):
- Disability Support Services: Personal support, respite, and community access
- Equipment: Assistive technology and communication devices
- Enabling Good Lives: Self-directed support
Brain Injury NZ supports people with ABI:
- Community support services
- Peer support networks
- Family and carer support
- Advocacy and information
Local brain injury associations provide community services and can advise on funding.
Health system ABI funding:
- Acute neurosurgery and neurology: Emergency and acute management
- Rehabilitation units: Inpatient ABI rehabilitation
- Community health: Outpatient therapy and nursing
- Mental health: Psychological support after ABI
Gaming trusts fund ABI services:
- Four Winds Foundation: Disability community services
- Grassroots Trust: Community rehabilitation and support
- Pub Charity: Community health and disability
- Lion Foundation: Community disability
Gaming trust ABI applications:
- Communication devices (AAC)
- Cognitive rehabilitation technology
- Community access and recreation
- Respite and carer support
Cognitive rehabilitation for ABI:
- Memory aids: Technology and strategies for memory impairment
- Executive function: Support for planning and organisation
- Communication: Speech language therapy for aphasia and dysarthria
- Neuropsychology: ACC-funded cognitive rehabilitation
Active rehabilitation:
- Para-sport: Para-sport for ABI athletes
- ACC Active Recreation: Sport and recreation in rehabilitation
- Green Prescription: Physical activity after ABI
- Adaptive sport: Wheelchair sport, para-cycling, swimming
Exercise is a significant evidence-based intervention for ABI rehabilitation.
Paediatric ABI:
- ACC: Childhood ABI from accidents
- Child and Adolescent rehabilitation: DHB paediatric rehabilitation
- Schools: Special education support for children with ABI
- Oranga Tamariki: Support for families with children with ABI
Strong applications demonstrate:
- Injury profile: ABI type, severity, and time post-injury
- Rehabilitation outcomes: Functional improvement, community reintegration
- Cognitive support: Memory, executive function, and communication
- Community participation: Active life after ABI
- Employment: Return to work or meaningful activity
- Family support: Carer wellbeing and training
- Peer support: Connection to others with ABI
- Equipment: Assistive technology for independence
Tahua's grants management platform helps ABI organisations manage grant applications across ACC, Whaikaha, Te Whatu Ora, gaming trusts, and community funders, tracking rehabilitation, community participation, and cognitive outcomes.