Total mobility
Total Mobility is a nationwide scheme that provides a transport subsidy to help people with disabilities stay connected within their community.
Changes to the Total Mobility scheme have been announced by the government and came into effect on 1 July 2026. These changes relate to subsidy levels and fare caps. There are no changes to how customers book trips or use their Total Mobility card.
Changes to funding settings and support for Public Transport Authorities
On funding settings, the Government announced three elements:
- The Total Mobility fare subsidy to reduce from 75% to 65%, taking effect from 1 July 2026
- The Government will work with public transport authorities to reduce regional fare caps by around 10%
- The reduced cost to the Crown will be used to reduce public transport authorities’ funding shortfalls over the period out to 2030.
The government expect these changes will substantially help to balance costs and funding over the 2025-2030 period. Ministers sought to strike a balance between ensuring that the scheme is affordable and sustainable for all funders and minimising the impact on Total Mobility users.
Total Mobility – from 1 July 2026
Whangārei changes to Total Mobility from 1 July 2026
From 1 July 2026, the Government reduced the Total Mobility subsidy from 75% to 65% in Whangārei. The capped fare changed from $60 to $57, and the maximum subsidy from Northland Regional Council reduced from $45.00 to $37.05, so users now pay more, especially for longer trips. There are no changes to how customers book trips or use their Total Mobility card.
If you have questions, call 0800 002 004 and ask for the Transport team.
Far North changes to Total Mobility from 1 July 2026
From 1 July 2026, the Government reduced the Total Mobility subsidy from 75% to 65% in the Far North. The maximum subsidy stays at $45, so users now pay more for each trip, especially for higher fares. There are no changes to how customers book trips or use their Total Mobility card.
If you have questions, call 0800 002 004 and ask for the Transport team.
Discounted fares
Total Mobility cardholders effectively receive a 65% discount on their fare – the remaining 35% of the fare plus any costs over and above the maximum subsidy 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 for - Whangārei
Total Mobility customers can receive a 65% discount off taxi fares, capped at $57.00 per trip. For trips over $57, Northland Regional Council will pay a maximum subsidy of $37.05.
The following table shows examples of how fares are calculated with the 65% discount.
| Full fare | Council pays | You pay |
| $7.00 | $4.55 | $2.45 |
| $14.00 | $9.10 | $4.90 |
| $21.00 | $13.65 | $7.35 |
| $35.00 | $22.75 | $12.25 |
| $42.00 | $27.30 | $14.70 |
| $57.00 | $37.05 | $19.95 |
| $63.00 | $37.05 | $25.95 |
| $70.00 | $37.05 | $32.95 |
| $84.00 | $37.05 | $46.95 |
| $91.00 | $37.05 | $53.95 |
| $119.00 | $37.05 | $81.95 |
| $140.00 | $37.05 | $102.95 |
| $150.00 | $37.05 | $112.95 |
How the Total Mobility discount works for – Far North
Total Mobility customers can receive a 65% discount off taxi fares, up to a maximum subsidy of $45 per trip.
For fares where the 65% discount exceeds $45, Northland Regional Council will pay a maximum subsidy of $45. Customers will need to pay the remaining balance of the fare.
The following table shows examples of how fares are calculated with the 65% discount.
| Full fare | Council pays | You pay |
| $7.00 | $4.55 | $2.45 |
| $10.00 | $6.50 | $3.50 |
| $14.00 | $9.10 | $4.90 |
| $30.00 | $19.50 | $10.50 |
| $35.00 | $22.75 | $12.25 |
| $40.00 | $26.00 | $14.00 |
| $60.00 | $39.00 | $21.00 |
| $80.00 | $45.00 | $35.00 |
| $100.00 | $45.00 | $55.00 |
| $120.00 | $45.00 | $75.00 |
| $150.00 | $45.00 | $105.00 |
Getting a Total Mobility card
You need a current Total Mobility card to qualify for the 65% 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: For assessment enquiries, please contact:
Age Concern Kaitaia and District
16 Commerce Street, Kaitaia, 408 2997 or 027 408 2997
or ageconcernkta@xtra.co.nz
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 NZ 277 Kamo Road Whangārei |
Phone: 437 1194 Email: admin@blindlowvision.org.nz |
Margaret Aden |
| CCS Disability Action Northland 291 Kamo Road Whau Valley Whangārei 0112 |
Mobile: 027 405 2718 Phone: CCS Disability Action Reception: 437 1899 Email: joanne.matthews-rudolph@ccsdisabilityaction.org.nz |
Joanne Matthews-Rudolph |
| Cairnfield House PO Box 1478 Whangārei 0140 |
Phone: 437 0186 Email: jpartridge@cairnfieldhouse.co.nz |
Julie Partridge |
| Community Mental Health Services C/O Norton House PO Box 742 Whangārei 0140 |
Phone: 430 4101 Email: maria.keefe@tewhatuora.govt.nz |
Maria Keefe |
| The Epilepsy Association of New Zealand (Northland Branch) PO Box 712 Whangārei 0140 |
Phone: 0800 37 45 37 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 4.29 MB)
Far North
Read the Far North Total Mobility user guide (PDF 2.49 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 one in the Far North, and can be contacted on the following numbers:
| A1 Cabs Whangārei | Driving Miss Daisy | Kiwi Cabs | Freedom Companion Driving Whangārei |
| P: 09 438 3377 | Whangārei P: 09 430 8091 Far North |
P: 09 438 4444 | P: 09 430 0139 | M: 022 633 1945 E: whangarei@freedomdrivers.co.nz |
Access Whangārei
Find accessible services and facilities like toilets, parking, permits, mobility scooter and wheelchair hire, and discount taxis in Whangārei.
Take a look at the map and guide to accessible facilities and services on the Whangarei District Council's website: www.wdc.govt.nz/disabilityservices
For more information on Total Mobility please contact:
Total Mobility Co–ordinator
Email: totalmobility@nrc.govt.nz
Phone: 0800 002 004