Aotearoa Support Directory
🚨 1. Immediate Safety & Crisis (24/7)
If you are in danger right now or need to leave immediately.
- NZ Police: Call 111 (Press 55 if you cannot speak).
- Women’s Refuge: 0800 733 843 (0800 REFUGE) – For safe housing and crisis support.
- Shine: 0800 284 863 – Confidential domestic abuse helpline.
- 1737, Need to Talk?: Free call or text 1737 to speak with a trained counsellor.
⚖️ 2. Legal Help & Court Orders
For Protection Orders, Parenting Orders, and understanding your rights.
- Ministry of Justice: justice.govt.nz – Information on Family Court and legal aid.
- Community Law Centres: communitylaw.org.nz – Free legal advice for those on low incomes.
- Victim Support: 0800 842 846 – Helping you navigate the justice system and court hearings.
- Family Legal Advice Service: Access via your local Community Law or the Ministry of Justice for initial parenting order advice.
🏠 3. Housing, Money & Essentials
For financial independence and stable living.
- Work and Income (WINZ): 0800 559 009 – Ask about the “Steps to Freedom” grant (emergency relocation funds).
- Good Shepherd NZ: The most direct way for someone to access this specialist support is Phone: 0800 466 370 – select Option 4, Email: Ehservice@goodshepherd.org.nz, Website: https://goodshepherd.org.nz/get-support/our-services/family-violence-economic-harm/ to access the referral form. Good Shepherd provides a nationwide Family Violence Economic Harm Service – which supports people experiencing the financial impacts of family violence. Specialists work one-on-one with clients (primarily by phone) to help them address the financial harm caused by economic abuse, such as unjust or coerced debt. The team advocates with creditors and organizations, supports access to family violence hardship provisions, and helps people rebuild financial capability and independence. This service is not an emergency or crisis response service.
- Tenancy Services: 0800 836 262 – Information on ending a tenancy at short notice due to family violence.
👨👩👧👦 4. Children, Youth & Pets
Support for the most vulnerable members of your whānau.
- Oranga Tamariki: 0508 326 459 – For concerns regarding child safety and welfare.
- Barnardos: 0800 227 627 – Specialist support for children who have witnessed violence.
- Miriam Centre (Whangārei)
- Phone: 09 437 6010 (24/7 Crisis Line)
- Email: miriam-centre@xtra.co.nz
- Youthline: 0800 376 633 or text 234 – For young people (15–25) navigating high-risk relationships.
- Pet Refuge: 09 973 5305 – Temporary shelter for pets while you move to safety.
🐙 5. Māori Specialist Services
Te Tai Tokerau (Northland)
- Te Whare Ruruhau o Meri Trust
- Phone: 0800 839 4273 (0800 TE WHARE)
- Email: whanau@tewhare.org.nz
Tāmaki Makaurau (Auckland)
- Tu Wahine Trust (West Auckland)
- Phone: 09 838 8700 | 0800 326 327
- Email: admin@tuwahine.org.nz
- Te Whare Ruruhau o Meri (South Auckland)
- Phone: 09 263 8040
- Email: admin@tewhare.org.nz
- Korowai Tumanako (Sexual Harm Specialist)
- Email: korowai@korowaitumanako.nz
Waikato & Hauraki
- Te Whakaruruhau (Waikato Women’s Refuge)
- Phone: 07 855 1569 (24/7 Crisis)
- Email: refuge@wwrt.co.nz
- Te Hauora o Ngāti Hauā
- Phone: 07 889 4524
- Email: admin@ngatihauawhareora.co.nz
Te Moana-a-Toi (Bay of Plenty)
- Te Puna Ora o Mataatua (Eastern BOP)
- Phone: 0800 628 228
- Email: referrals@tpoom.co.nz
- Tauranga Women’s Refuge (Whānau Resilience)
- Phone: 0800 867 338
- Email: admin@taurangawomensrefuge.co.nz
Te Waiariki (Central North Island / Lakes)
- Tuwharetoa Health (Te Whare Oranga Wairua)
- Area: Taupō / Tūrangi
- Phone: 07 378 5204 (Taupō) | 07 384 2882 (Tūrangi)
- Email: info@twowrefuge.org.nz
- Manaaki Ora Trust (Tipu Ora)
- Area: Rotorua Lakes
- Phone: 0800 348 2400
- Email: info@manaakiora.org.nz
- Te Puna Ora o Mataatua
- Area: Whakatāne / Eastern Bay of Plenty
- Phone: 0800 628 228
- Email: referrals@tpoom.co.nz
Taranaki, Whanganui & Manawatū
- Tui Ora (Taranaki)
- Phone: 0800 884 672
- Email: intake@tuiora.co.nz
- Tu Tama Wahine o Taranaki
- Phone: 06 758 5795
- Email: reception@tutamawahine.org.nz
- Te Oranganui (Whanganui)
- Phone: 06 349 0007
- Email: support@teoranganui.co.nz
Te Upoko o te Ika (Wellington & Hutt Valley)
- Kōkiri Marae (Hutt Valley)
- Phone: 04 566 5025
- Email: referrals@kmmwomensrefuge.org.nz
- Te Runanga o Toa Rangatira (Porirua)
- Phone: 0800 862 672
- Email: info@ngatitoa.iwi.nz
Te Waipounamu (South Island)
- Te Roopu Tautoko ki te Tonga (Dunedin/Otago)
- Phone: 03 477 4670
- Email: admin@teroopu.nz
- Awarua Whānau Services (Southland)
- Phone: 0800 292 782
- Email: admin@awarua.nz
- He Waka Tapu (Canterbury)
- Phone: 0800 439 276
- Email: reception@hewakatapu.org.nz
🌍6. Cultural & Specialist Services
Support tailored to your specific community and identity.
- Shakti: 0800 742 584 – Specialist support for Asian, African, and Middle Eastern women.
- Hey Bro (He Waka Tapu): 0800 439 276 – Support for men wanting to stop being violent.
- Outline: 0800 688 5463 – Support for LGBTQI+ individuals facing family violence.
- Vaka Tautua: 0800 825 288 – Support for Pacific families navigating disability and violence.
Important Note: Staying Safe and Sane provides these links for your convenience. We are not a government agency and do not control the wait times or service delivery of these organizations. We recommend calling from a safe phone or using a private browser when accessing these sites.
Staying Safe and Sane 