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 Spotted an out-of-date entry, or an organisation which is missing?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
We provide tenancy services to nearly 200,000 customers and their whānau and own / maintain nearly 69,000 public houses while also providing home ownership products and other services. We are focusing on prioritising our tenants’ wellbeing, and provide tenants with good quality, warm, dry and healthy homes. Our Taranaki team (based in the MSD Building at Dawson House, New Plymouth) look after almost 1200 homes in Taranaki. We work with a number of agencies and services to provide wrap-around support for our most vulnerable customers to enable them to live well in our homes.
We also work closely with the Ministry of Social Development, which is responsible for working with people who need housing, income and employment support and helping people access and sustain long-term accommodation, and help meet the cost of short-term, emergency accommodation.
In addition to our public housing landlord role, Kāinga Ora is also focused on delivering quality urban developments that connect homes with jobs, transport, open spaces and the facilities that communities need. This includes accelerating the availability of build-ready land, and building a mix of housing including public housing, affordable housing, homes for first home buyers and market housing of different types, sizes and tenures.
We have delivered nearly 7,000 homes in the past four and half years, the vast majority being newly built homes and our assets are worth nearly $40 billion. Through our large-scale developments up to 40,000 public, affordable and market homes will be delivered over the next 10-15 years.
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
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.