Family support services in your community
Connecting families with trusted support, counselling, health, and community help NZ.
Auckland Women’s Centre - Te Wāhi Wāhine o Tāmaki Makaurau
The Auckland Women’s Centre offers the support of a women-only environment, promoting empowerment and wellbeing for all women. Free, non-judgemental information, support and advice, affordable counselling and support services. Courses in personal growth, separation, assertiveness, self-defence etc. A single mums positive parenting project, support for women questioning their sexual orientation and a wonderful Women’s Library.
Alzheimers New Zealand
Alzheimers New Zealand assists and supports people with Alzheimers disease or a related dementia, as well as their carers, families and health professionals.
Age Concern - He Manaakitanga Kaumatua Aotearoa
Age Concern is a charitable organisation dedicated solely to people over 65. They promote dignity, wellbeing, equity and respect and provide expert information and support services in response to older people’s needs.
Choice Not Chance – (preventing problem gambling)
This organisations offers a helpline and face-to-face counselling services for those concerned with their own gambling, or someone else’s. Free 24 hour telephone support – 0800 654 655
Citizens Advice Bureau
The Citizens Advice Bureau (‘CAB’) is an organisation providing free, confidential information and advice about any query or problem, staffed by trained volunteers. You can get advice online through instant chat, or find and contact a local office on their comprehensive website.
Family Planning Association (FPA)
FPA help with your sexual and reproductive health. They can offer you health information, clinical services, education, training and research. They work with people of any gender, age, ethnicity, or sexual orientation. Find a local clinic on their website, and view plenty of useful resources, information and tools.
Family Support Services (Ministry of Social Development)
This government website contains a wealth of information in regards to support services for families, including an online directory.
IHC (Supporting people with intellectual disabilities)
IHC supports people with intellectual disabilities, and their families and carers. The organisation has an extensive collection of information on intellectual disability, including legal and ethical issues. It also has an advocacy team who can advise on legal issues involving people with disabilities.
Kidz Need Dadz - Me Whai Papa Nga Tamariki
Strengthening father-child relationships through support, education and fun.
Lifeline Auckland
Lifeline is a telephone counselling service that provides 24 hours a day, 7 days a week counselling and support, for any emotional issues people may be facing in life. They also offer face-to-face counselling services in many areas of NZ, as well as educational services. Helpline 0800 543 354 for 24/7 support
Māori Women’s Welfare League
Te Ropu Wahine Maori Toko i te Ora (referred to as Maori Women’s Welfare League Inc or MWWL), arose out of a desire on the part of Maori women throughout New Zealand for an organisation that would be a potent force in facilitating positive outcomes for Maori people through enabling and empowering Maori women and whanau. Among many other community and political activities, the organisation runs a parenting programme for under five-year-olds. Phone: 04 473 6451
New Zealand Association of Counsellors
NZAC, the New Zealand Association of Counsellors / Te Roopu Kaiwhiriwhi o Aotearoa is the national professional association that acts for and with counsellors to monitor and improve the service they provide. You can search their site for comprehensive listings of all members.
Parent Help (Helpline)
This parenting helpline is available 9am to 11pm – seven days a week, catering for all parenting issues from the smallest problem to the most serious issue of child abuse. The helpline is affiliated to Jigsaw (see link on this page), and is an approved Child, Youth and Family Services provider. 0800 568 856 – 9am to 11pm
Parent to Parent (managing children with disabilities, health impairments or special needs)
A national support and information network for parents of children with disabilities, health impairments or special needs. Phone: 0508 236 236
Presbyterian Support
Presbyterian Support is made up of seven regional organisations. Its core activities concentrate on assisting youth in need, children and families, and elderly people through residential and community services. Three regions also offer services for people with physical disabilities, and one operates a hospice for terminally ill people and their families. This website provides access to the regional organisations.
Raeburn House
Raeburn House is a primary mental health provider / community development organisation with a focus on mental wellbeing, community wellbeing, and diversity.
Raising Grandchildren
Online support for grandparents raising children in NZ.
Salvation Army
The Salvation Army have a long history in NZ of providing welfare (food parcels/furniture/clothing), education and employment training, home care, and accommodation for people with a range of needs. They also provide early childhood education centres, pre-school groups and youth programmes. “The Sally’s” are made up of full-time officers and employees, along with soldiers (church members) who volunteer their skills and expertise, provide our social and church-based services.
Sexual Wellbeing Aotearoa
Their clinics are the place to go to for affordable, confidential, non-judgemental sexual and reproductive health care. There’s no silly questions when it comes to talking to them. Their clinicians, and Community Health Promoters are happy to kōrero with you about even the trickiest topics. They work with people of any gender, age, ethnicity, or sexual orientation. Find a local clinic on their website, and view plenty of useful resources, information, and tools.