Nau mai, haere mai – welcome. This is a locally-maintained list of wellbeing / support services in Taranaki. Spotted an out-of-date entry, or an organisation which is missing? Please drop us an email to let us know, and we’ll sort it! Thank you:)
You can select a category below, on the left; or search for a keyword, or just browse the full directory.
Mā tōu rourou, mā taku rourou ka ora te iwi – With your food basket and my food basket the people will thrive.
Biographical Info
Hi! My name is Jemma.
I am a Certified ADHD Coach in New Zealand with a professional background in nursing, I bring a special perspective to ADHD coaching and consultancy. I’m here to share my extensive knowledge and offer practical help for individuals and parents on their journey to manage and thrive with ADHD. If you’re seeking support, practical strategies, education, or coaching around your own or your child’s ADHD, you’ve come to the right place!
- Free Support Group for parents: Come and join us for a coffee and discussion about all things parenting and ADHD. This is a supportive space for sharing listening, connecting and getting some support and answers to your questions. Find out about upcoming dates from my website or from Flourish Taranaki
- Public events: Dates and times are listed on my website.
- ADHD Coaching
- Parent and Families Coaching
- Education for educators and workplaces
Biographical Info
Aoake te Rā: Bereaved by Suicide Service
We are a free service that provides therapeutic support to anyone impacted by suicide loss.
Our Providers offer a brief therapeutic response that supports individuals and whānau who have lost someone to suicide, helping them to honour their grief and letting it find a place in their adjusted future.
The service is:
-
- Free
- Available to all ages, at any time following loss
- Available to anyone navigating loss by suicide (whānau, friends, colleagues, discoverer, communities)
- Sessions can support individuals, couples, whānau groups or a combination
- Available nationwide
- Available face to face, online, phone or a combination
Please visit our website to make a referral, or Leave us a message on 0800 000 053 (please leave name and contact details)
Biographical Info
In Taranaki our skilled and experienced staff provide a range of services and programmes that are tailored to suit the challenges of families in the region – with a primary focus on care and well-being of our children and their families.
Biographical Info
Big Brothers Big Sisters offer the following services:
- Mentoring Programmes
- Mentor Training
- One on one Mentoring
- School-Based Mentoring
- Community-Based Mentoring
Biographical Info
Two of the services Bishops Action Foundation offer is in supporting the wellness of children and youth and is the only intervention of its type offered in the Taranaki region.
Seasons for Growth
Is a peer support programme for children and young people from the ages of 5-17 experiencing severe grief or loss caused by separation of parents, death, serious illness or imprisonment of a parent or close relative or a period of foster care.
As well as providing the 9 week programme for children and youth, Seasons also provides a 4 week programme for those siblings or children/youth who have a whānau member who is suffering from a long term illness or health issue that has brought significant change to the young person’s life.
Parent programmes are also available which enables parents/caregivers to understand their child’s journey while participating in the programme.
Referrals are made by any parent/whānau, schools, health professionals and social services.
Contact Details: Central Taranaki – Heather 027 801 0633, North Taranaki – Judy 027 703 3769, South Taranaki – Angela 027 280 3085
Manna
Manna is a transitional home in Taranaki that provides a six month live-in programme for 16–21 year olds who have experienced challenges in life to develop into healthy, resilient adults. We incorporate a nurturing home environment, tailor made support, life skills, engagement in education, employment or training, peer support, physical activities, access to professional care and spiritual & cultural practices, followed by up to 12 additional months of mentoring. At the heart of our mahi we believe that each young person is a valuable taonga, carrying mana, great potential, and is worth investing in. Their lives and actions matter and make a difference in the world. Our hope is that taiohi will have a sense of whanaungatanga at Manna Home, will grow in their skills and build up their mana and self-worth as they learn to make healthy positive choices for themselves, their future and those around them.
Referrals can be made here https://www.mannayouth.org.nz/apply
Biographical Info
We’re here because we believe every child has the right to reach their full potential, and we believe that Conductive Education can empower kids with disabilities to achieve it. We welcome you, your child, and everyone who supports them, to our community. We’re passionate about creating local opportunities for tāngata whaikaha (people with disabilities) to flourish, and proud to have an incredible community of supporters alongside us. Together, we’re helping to make Taranaki a more inclusive, empowered, supportive community. There is no “entry criteria” to our service; we’ll simply meet for a chat to find out whether Conductive Education is right for you. Please get in touch with us if you have any questions.
Biographical Info
Flourish is here to offer authentic professional development for any parent who puts their hand up to learn how to make the parenting rollercoaster as enjoyable as possible, regardless of where they begin their ride.
Flourish provides a hub to connect parents and social service providers. A physical venue that is designed to host parenting programmes, meet-ups, chats, and kanohi ki te kanohi (face to face) support.
A digital platform designed to provide resources, connections and communication.
A coordination role to keep the programmes flowing, parents informed, funding requests managed and a friendly face when parents call in.
Our vision is to build a resilient community who flourish together through support, growth, connection and play.
Biographical Info
The Grief Centre has provided counselling, support groups, resources, education and training, and bereavement support to New Zealanders for over 15 years.
Our mission is to support every person through their individual loss and grief journey by providing quality counselling, resources, and support groups; sourcing necessary funding; delivering appropriate training, education and research opportunities; partnering with aligned organisations; and effectively engaging with our communities.
Our Kaupapa is to support every person, regardless of financial circumstance. We provide loss and grief counselling, resources and support groups for youth, adults, families and whānau experiencing any form of significant loss. We have local counsellors available in Taranaki for in-person, over the phone or online through zoom.
We also run a professional education and training programme, present at community talks and events, and we partner with funeral homes to provide grief care after funerals.
Biographical Info
is woven throughout our programme.
Biographical Info
How can a Kaiārahi help you?
A Family Court Kaiārahi can help you:
- Understand the language, processes and outcomes of Family Court proceedings
- Where appropriate, access out-of-court services and support in the community to help you reach agreement about the care of your children
- Remain engaged and involved in any Family Court proceedings by working to address any barriers that are preventing you from participating
- With your agreement, connect you with other agencies and services in the community to support you as needed.
The Kaiārahi are a free service, but they do not give legal advice.
Biographical Info
Kenzie’s Gift | Supporting the Mental Wellbeing of Tamariki and Rangatahi
At Kenzie’s Gift, we stand alongside tamariki (children) and mātātahi (young people) navigating the death of a parent or sibling, or serious illness in their whānau (family).
Grief and serious illness can be tough, and no child or rangatahi should have to go through it alone. That’s why we provide free, professional mental health support, ensuring tamariki and their whānau have the care and tools they need to get through life’s hardest times.
How We Support
- One-on-one therapy with registered clinical psychologists and psychotherapists. We have therapists available in Taranaki. Request support through our website https://www.kenziesgift.com/contact
- Support kits & resources to help tamariki, rangatahi, and whānau through grief and serious illness
- Expert advice & practical tools to help whānau support their tamariki
Biographical Info
New Plymouth Community Foodbank has been providing food assistance to members of the New Plymouth community for over 20 years.
We utilise the time and skill of volunteers to pack food parcels based on individual need and circumstance to help alleviate food insecurity.
Donations of food, household consumables and money come from the community to provide a service for the community by the community.
Support is provided directly to people in need and thru referrals from other social service providers – call, email or contact us thru Facebook, we are open Monday, Wednesday and Friday
– closed all public holidays.
Biographical Info
We work and support whānau holistically. Tinana, whanau, hinengaro & wairua. We help whanau and/or individuals to develop a plan going forward and support them in achieving it. We work with Taiohi to Kaumatua.
You don’t have to be of Ngati Ruanui to enrol for our services. We provide budgeting support, a kaumatua group, a men’s group, child dental support and bowel screening education and support. We have connections to schools, kohanga reo, marae and employers within our community. We work with other community services that support whānau as well. Kia ora.
Biographical Info
Open Home Foundation is a community social work agency whose Social Work Kaupapa reflects commitment to working collaboratively with families and whānau in a strengths based and culturally appropriate way that prioritizes child safety and promotes family well-being/whānau mauri ora. Referrals can be made to OHF by Oranga Tamariki, other community agencies, schools and people in the community by contacting the office.
The Vision of OHF is for every child and young person growing up in a secure, loving family and receiving a depth of care that will bless them throughout their life.
Biographical Info
- Kia ora! RainbowYOUTH is a national charity with folk working here in Taranaki too, we work with queer, intersex, takatāpui and gender diverse rangatahi between the ages of 13 – 27, their whānau and communities.
- We provide 1:1 peer support where we work alongside rangatahi to set intentions and goals then help them take steps to achieve them utilizing their strengths.
- We have a drop in centre for our rangatahi to come by, use our community wardrobe, play games and meet new folk.
- We run events in the community, from craft sessions to camps!If you have any questions please email us! And if you want to access 1:1 peer support please use the referral link on our website – ry.org.nz/get-support
Biographical Info
We’re proudly part of the Pathways and Wise Group whānau providing community based mental health and alcohol and other drug support services. We support taiohi to live full lives; hopeful and connected to what matters to them. Our youth services are designed to meet the needs of taiohi, whānau, and their community:
Whetū Marewa: Whetū Marewa is our mental health support service in Taranaki that brings together our clinical workforce and youth workers, to make accessing support fast, easy, and even fun! Our aim is to build confidence, resilience, and wellbeing in taiohi who may be living with mild to moderate mental health, or challenges from alcohol or other drug usage, or social stressors. We can take self and whānau referrals this service.
Respite: Our youth respite service in Taranaki provides a safe and caring environment for young people who may be going through a tough time dealing with things like anxiety and depression. It’s currently available from Monday to Friday. You can be referred to our respite services by Child and Adolescent Mental Health services at Te Whatu Ora, or by Taiohi Ora at Tui Ora.
Whānau support: While our services are designed and built to meet the needs of young people, whānau are part of the journey too. We’re committed to including whānau in the support we provide, strengthening relationships within whānau, and encouraging helpful communication.
Biographical Info
Seasons for Growth is a grief and loss education programme delivered across Taranaki.
Seasons for Growth is a peer support programme for young people aged 6-18 who are suffering grief and loss through death or life threatening illness of a parent or close relative; separation or divorce of parents; long-term imprisonment of a parent or close family member; long-term placement with foster parents; migration or other circumstances. The programme runs for eight weekly sessions and guides young people along a structured journey to explore feelings and develop sustainable coping strategies for grief and loss.
There are also programmes helping parents to support their children in grief and a programme for adult grief.
If you would like more information, please feel free to make contact with:
Biographical Info
STWC provide a safe, supportive, friendly environment for Families and Whanau.
We provide all our programmes free, please contact us for further information.
We also have rooms available for casual rates, Monday to Sunday, day or evening
Free Programmes we provide:
Parenting, Positive Relationships, Women’s Self Confidence, Teen Self Confidence, Raising Complex Kids, Grandparents/Whanau Caring For Children, Counselling/Kaitautoko Support.
Biographical Info
We provide community legal services throughout the Taranaki rohe.
Our phones are answered Monday – Friday, 8:30am – 5pm
Waitara service
Waitara Library
15 Queen Street
New Plymouth Office
Level 1 Vero House
10-12 Devon St East
Stratford Service
Stratford Community House
52 Juliet Street
Hawera Service
Whanau Centre
56 Disraeli Street
Biographical Info
A full range of social work and counselling services aimed toward building strong families/whanau that learn, grow and thrive.
Location :Taranaki and National
Biographical Info
Kia ora; Taranaki Retreat offers a ‘Space to Breathe’ for individuals or whānau going through tough times – people helping people; alongside-you holistic peer-support, connected up and working hand-in-hand with our clinical services – each of us doing our bit to make sure that you are heard and cared for.
People reach out, or when that is too hard, friends/whānau members and other caring services get in touch with us every single day to get some support rolling. That’s what we’re here for. We offer a Support Hub (Waimanako), an Outreach Support Hub (Waihāpai), a food truck (Waimanaaki), and a peaceful Time Out space in the country.
Waimanako is a “safe space” in New Plymouth (35 Octavius Place) with awesome kai and coffee, and many workshops and support groups. We’re open Monday to Friday (check out our website for our hours), and we’re On Pause on Weekends and Public Holidays. Listening Ear support is always available – you don’t need an appointment!
If you need kai support, we have a food truck ‘Waimanaaki’ which offers free kai for our community! Locations and times are available on our website and on our Facebook page ‘Waimanako; Support Hub’.
Biographical Info
Tui Ora wraps a korowai of support around you and your whānau, as you navigate your own way to bringing health and well-being into your life.
Our kaiārahi, registered nurses, publi health teams and hauora experts can awhi you with programmes and services designed for Māori, with Māori and by Māori. If you have a whānau hauora goal or want support getting something health-related sorted, we are there for you!
Our services include:
- Community nursing for long-term health conditions such as diabetes or heart disease
- Cancer nursing and support
- Tamariki Ora and childhood immunisations
- Pāhake Waiora/Older Person’s wellbeing
We can help with:
- Feelings of being overwhelmed or the need to get some balance mentally and emotionally
- Support for taiohi who are finding life a struggle at times
- Alcohol, gambling and drug addiction
- Stopping smoking
- Support to enable you to create positive change in you life.
Biographical Info
Tui Ora Youth Service, support, mentor, advocate Taiohi aged between 16 to 20 years old to achieve their goals and aspirations. We have been helping Taiohi in Taranaki since 2012 and are fully funded by the Ministry of Social Development.
We support taiohi who are in receipt of benefits as well as NEETs (Not in Education Employment or training) and don’t receive any govt funding, from a variety of backgrounds and who may present with different barriers and need the support to find ways through the barriers to help them achieve and become empowered.
You do not need to have an appointment or need to complete a referral form to come meet with us. You can be a teacher, a parent, a Taiohi (young person) or a friend. We will be more than happy to listen to what the need/s are and work alongside the young person to find ways to help meet the need/s without judgement but with passion to help.
Biographical Info
Biographical Info
YMCA Taranaki provides a range of youth and community support services across the region, focused on building strong kids, families, and communities.
Youth Development
The YMCA offers opportunities for young people to help build their confidence, develop their communication skills, group participation, and goal setting skills.
Services include:
– Youth Justice – Supported Bail & Mentoring (ages 11-18, referrals from Oranga Tamariki & NZ Police)
– Specialist Youth Service Corp (SYSCO) – 20-week programme (ages 14-17 referrals from Oranga Tamariki & NZ Police)
– Fees for Service Mentoring (ages 10-18, can be referred by anyone)
– Transition to Adulthood Support Service (ages 16-12, for rangatahi who have been in the care of Oranga Tamariki)
The Y Community Space
A welcoming and inclusive venue, designed to meet the diverse needs of the community. The space offers a variety of free activities and services to promote connection, well-being and personal growth for everyone.
Free Sessions include: Craft sessions, Group outings, Community Law Workshops, Community Barbecues & Cooking Lessons.
Check out our website to learn how to get involved!
Te Whare O Tapatahi
A shelter initiative supporting men who are sleeping rough in New Plymouth, offering a safe, structured, and welcoming space for those experiencing homelessness. The whare provides meals, showers, laundry, overnight accommodation and tailored support services in a respectful and secure environment. We have a zero-tolerance policy for drugs and alcohol; safety for all is a main priority. More than a shelter, Te Whare o Tapatahi—meaning “house of integrity”—embodies the values of dignity, unity, and compassion. It’s a place where some of our most vulnerable Tāne are supported to reconnect with themselves and their community, and where structure and care come together to help rebuild lives.
Biographical Info
Zeal is an Inclusive spaces & opportunities for young people in Taranaki. We cater for young people 13-18 Years old.We believe every young New Zealander deserves to belong, to be accepted on their terms, and to have a real shot to thrive. Zeal is an Aotearoa youth organisation providing safe, inclusive local and online spaces – where you can explore and flex your strengths through affordable programmes and workshops, and make lifelong friendships at creative showcases and events.
