Alzheimers Tauranga is becoming Dementia Tauranga
Kia ora koutou,
From 1 July 2026, Alzheimers Tauranga will become Dementia Tauranga / WBOP.
Our name is changing – but what matters most stays exactly the same. You’ll continue to see the same familiar faces, in the same places, delivering the same services and programmes you know and trust. Your relationships with our Navigators and staff, and the way we work alongside people, their family and whānau, remain at the heart of everything we do.
Until now, we have operated as part of the Alzheimers New Zealand federation. By adopting the Dementia Tauranga name, we will be joining the Dementia New Zealand Affiliate Network – a group of local organisations delivering dementia | mate wareware support in communities across Aotearoa New Zealand, supported by Dementia New Zealand’s national leadership, coordination and advocacy.
Being part of this Network allows us to strengthen what we already do, giving us access to shared resources, consistent training standards, and closer collaboration with other regions, while ensuring our support remains local and responsive to our community. This decision has been unanimously supported by our Board.
Frances Blyth, Dementia New Zealand Chair, shared: “We welcome Dementia Tauranga to the Dementia New Zealand network as part of a more connected approach to supporting people and whānau across Aotearoa. We understand that no two experiences of dementia are the same, and the support people need can change over time. Being part of the Dementia New Zealand Network allows local teams to learn from each other and share what’s working – helping ensure people and whānau continue to receive support that reflects their needs.”
Over the coming months, you’ll begin to see gradual updates to our branding and materials. We don’t anticipate any changes to existing funding agreements, services, or how we report on our work.
This is an exciting step forward – one that helps us keep delivering the support that Tauranga and the Western Bay of Plenty whānau deserve, now and in the years ahead.
Ngā mihi nui,
Sue Lewer, Chair & Glenn Bradley, General Manager
