Biographical Info

The Taranaki Whānau Centre (formerly South Taranaki Women’s Centre) was established in 2001 and has recently re-registered under the Incorporated Societies Act 2022. With this change, we are proud to now operate under our new legal name: South Taranaki Whānau Centre.

Our centre is known for its warm, friendly, and inviting atmosphere—a place where clients feel safe, relaxed, and welcome from the moment they walk through our doors. We pride ourselves on being client-focused, supportive, and non-judgemental in all the services we provide.

 

Our Purpose:

Our mission is to create a safe, supportive, and empowering environment for individuals, families, and Whānau. We focus on what’s happening for our clients in the present moment, supporting their choices and helping them work toward positive outcomes.

Accreditation & Compliance

Taranaki Whānau Centre holds Level 2 Social Sector Accreditation with Te Kāhui Kahu to deliver:

• Family Violence and Victims Programmes
• Parenting Support Services

We are audited every two years by the Ministry of Social Development and Oranga Tamariki, covering areas such as: Health and safety compliance;

 

Community Partnerships:

We are an active member of the South Taranaki Safe Families Collaborative – network of community organisations and government agencies committed to preventing family violence. Through this collective, we work together to raise awareness and improve outcomes for families in our region.

 

Our Mission Statement:

To provide a safe and supportive friendly environment for the empowerment of families and Whānau.

 

Our Services:

Social Work Support

Sometimes we need someone to talk to about things. We have professional and supportive staff at the centre.

We are client focused and unbiased and are here to help you make positive change.

• Stress and Anxiety
• Family Violence
• Counselling
• Depression
• PTSD
• Grief and loss
• Mental Health
• Confidence- low self esteem
• Relationship communication

 

Counselling/Support for Men:

Sometimes we need someone to talk to about things.

We have professional and supportive staff at the centre. We are client focused and unbiased and are here to help up make positive change.

• Relationship communication
• Stress and Anxiety
• Family Violence
• Understanding our mental wellbeing (anger management)
• Depression
• Mental Health
• PTSD
• Relationship counselling

 

We can offer a couple of specialists. Please talk to us about this.

Services are by appointment only and are at NO charge

 

Support Programmes:

 

Women’s Wellbeing: (4-week Programme)

Need to boost your self-esteem, find yourself, setting goals, Anxiety and how we manage this to reach your full potential. Do you need to reduce stress or anxiety? Are you looking for a new way to improve your quality of life, then this programme is for you. Mindfulness is about opening your mind to the present, about awareness of your thoughts. Mindfulness is about focusing on sensations and understanding how your body is feeling.

 

Parenting for Mums, Dads, Grandparents and Caregivers: (5-week Programme)

Covers a wide range of topics to assist parents, grandparents, and caregivers in raising today’s children. This programme is Family Violence approved under Level 2 Social Sector Accreditation standards by Te Kāhui Kāhu.

 

Teen Self Confidence: (3-week Programme)

What is self-esteem? Dealing with peer pressure/social media/Bullying/Anxiety and so much more. Ages 11 -17 years.

 

Raising Neurodiversity Complex Children: (4-week Programme)

Designed to give adults a look at how our kids see the world. To assist them to reach their full potential without being labelled by others. Covers a wide range from how they learn, how important routine is, foods to avoid and behaviour challenges and lots more. Support from other parents that are experiencing challengers also.

Neurodiversity is a term that describes the natural differences in how people’s brains work. It’s based on the idea that these differences are variations, rather than deficits, in how people process information.

 

Where? Available in South Taranaki, in-person, online and via phone

When? Monday to Thursday; 9 am until 4pm.

Who? All ages and whānau

Referrals: We accept referrals from self, whānau, GP, health professionals, workplaces, lawyers and Work and Income. There may be a waitlist at times.