Pou Whakaaro is a non profit, Charitable Trust that offers peer support, navigation and employment services for adults with varying disabilities e.g. tactile, physical, intellectual and mental 

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The organisation was first set up in 1982 with support from the club services and was called Eastern Bay Achievement Trust. Initially it was set up as a sheltered workshop for people with a disability or experience of mental illness. 

 

'Trainees' made farm gates and kiwi fruit pallets, grew food, did contract work and ran a lunch bar. Service users received a nominal 'pay' of $10 to $80 per week. In 2002/3 after a financial crisis, these operations ceased. The Board and new manager worked hard to save EBAT from closing down. Since then with energy, determination and community support Pou Whakaaro has grown and evolved, and continues to do so.