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 Spotted an out-of-date entry, or an organisation which is missing?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!
You can select a category below, search for a keyword, or just browse the full directory.
Nā tō rourou, nā taku rourou ka ora ai 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
Roderique Hope Trust is a Taranaki-based housing charity providing a range of services to support individuals and whānau across the region. These include Transitional Housing, Sustaining Tenancies, the Community Connector service, the Emergency Housing Navigator service and the Ready to Rent programme.
Roderique Hope Trust provides 14 transitional houses across Taranaki, offering short-term accommodation for individuals and whānau experiencing homelessness who have nowhere else to live.
The Sustaining Tenancies service provides tailored, practical support to individuals and whānau in rental housing, helping them maintain their tenancies and prevent homelessness.
The Ready to Rent programme is a two-day course that equips tenants with the knowledge and skills needed for a successful renting experience. It focuses on the rental application process and provides practical tools to help participants secure and sustain long-term housing in Taranaki’s competitive private rental market.
The Community Connector service offers personalised, practical support to individuals, families, and whānau who are homeless or experiencing housing insecurity. Community Connectors work alongside whānau to access relevant social services, education, and housing support, coordinating across government agencies and community providers to help identify and secure suitable housing solutions.
Roderique Hope Trust assist each whānau to engage with their appointed whānau navigator to create a whānau centered plan, identify barriers, set goals and help them to see a future for themselves and their children that is filled with hope. This allows whānau to identify their dreams and aspirations, build whānau stability, gain further education and employment and have a safe place that they can call home.
Where? In-person across Taranaki
When? Monday to Friday, 9am – 5pm.
Who? Anyone aged 10 and up, including whānau, communities, and workplaces.
Referrals: We accept referrals from self, whānau, GP, health professionals and workplaces.
Biographical Info
The New Plymouth Salvation Army is a Christian based charity. Our vision is to care for people, transform lives and reform society. Helping those in need through a number of programmes and services open to the community. We welcome everyone to our centre.
Church | Sunday Service 10.30am (Including children’s church). We also hold house churches on Wednesday and Thursday evenings.
Prayer (Karakia) | Tuesday to Friday 9:00am Early morning prayer and devotions to start your day.
Women’s Support Group | Wednesday 10am
Women’s support group is a place where women can be empowered and supported and make good friendships with like-minded people. Learn about yourself and others through a spiritual journey in a safe space. We welcome women from all walks of life.
Tautoko Tane – Men’s Support Group Wednesday 10am
Tautoko Tane is a men’s support group for all men dealing with life on life’s terms. From men’s mental wellbeing, addictions, recovery, family and faith, this group gets together every Wednesday, sometimes offsite.
Recovery Church | Wednesday 6pm
Recovery Church embraces the slogan, ‘A place to belong before you believe!’ Recovery Church is a safe space for those who are on the recovery journey. Whether you are seeking support to begin the journey, are on day one, or have clean time behind you, this ministry is based on the 12 Steps and offers support through a spiritual programme.
Lord’s Gym Box Fit Class | Tuesday and Thursday 5pm
A 1-hour box fit class led by our passionate facilitator! Held in our auditorium, this class is about looking after our physical selves. A gold coin donation is appreciated.
Food and Wellbeing Support | Tuesday or Thursday’s | 10 – 12.30pm Call to book an Appointment
We offer wellbeing support and navigation including emotional support, goal setting and self development. For those in this service we have a social supermarket for food assistance available. We can also assist with a various number of other welfare concerns as needed.
Community Connections – Advocacy
We can be an advocate for you during meetings or events, you might find stressful doing alone. We can also find connections for you in the community to help support you further.
Reintegration Service
Reintegration works with those who are incarcerated and are ready to be released into society. We have a team that meets and walks beside those people, helping them put their best foot forward and supporting them on the journey as they find themselves in the community.
Supportive Housing
Transitional housing is a short-term accommodation service to help those in need who are looking for long-term properties.
Social Housing
This service is a long-term housing solution for single people.
Taranaki Bridge Programme
This programme is a live-in rehabilitation program for those suffering from addiction. The programme offers a nine-week course to help clients learn to live without the use of alcohol and drugs, as well as engaging clients in community services that support sobriety.
Family Stores
Our Family Stores offer second hand goods sold at reasonable prices! Donations welcome. All proceeds of the shop are sown back into The Salvation Army services, allowing us to continue helping the community.
Book Fair
We are always seeking donations of quality books for our annual book fair.
Where? North Taranaki. Support available in-person, online and via phone.
When? Tuesday to Friday, 9am – 2.30pm; Sundays from 10.30am.
Who? Anyone, including whānau, communities, and workplaces.
Referrals: We accept referrals from self, whānau, GP, health professionals and workplaces. Some programmes may have a waitlist.
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.