Nationwide Counselling Service Contacts
A range of advisory and counselling services are available in New Zealand. Many of these can be accessed by phone, text, or email. Don’t feel alone if you’re struggling – reach out for help.
| Organisation | Phone Number | Email / Website | Service Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| AIcohol Drug Helpline | 0800 787797 or text 8681 (24/7) | Online chat at https://alcoholdrughelp.org.nz/ | If you are concerned about your own or someone else’s drinking or drug taking, the Alcohol and Drug Helpline can assist with information, insight and support. Speak to a trained counsellor free and confidential. |
| Anxiety New Zealand | Helpline 0800 2694389 | https://www.anxiety.org.nz/ | Online therapy and COVID-19 help resources available. |
| Auckland District Kidney Society | 0800 235 711 | https://www.kidneysociety.co.nz/ | Assistance to adults with kidney disease to live as normal lives as possible. Provide support, information and resources. Covering Auckland, Waikato, Northland & Hawkes Bay. |
| Budgeting Assistance | 0800 345 123 | https://www.govt.nz/ | Community services to help you manage your finances. |
| Carer Support | 0800 855 066 | https://www.health.govt.nz/ | If eligible carer support subsidy provides some of the costs of using a support person to care and support a disabled person. Means their carer can take some time out for themselves. |
| Christchurch Kidney Society | 03 341 0906 | https://www.christchurchkidneysociety.co.nz/ | Assistance to adults with kidney disease to live as normal lives as possible. Provide support, information and resources. |
| Citizens Advice Bureau (CAB) | 0800 367 222 | https://www.cab.org.nz/ | Community Organisation to help you know and understand your rights and obligations. Providing people with confidence and support to take action. |
| Community Services Card (enquire through WINZ) | 0800 999 999 | https://www.workandincome.govt.nz/ | If you qualify for this card, it can help your family with costs of health care. |
| Depression Helpline | 0800 111757 or free text 4202 to talk to a trained counsellor | https://www.depression.org.nz/ | For support or to ask any questions. |
| Dermatology Skin Specialist | Ask your GP to refer you. | ||
| EAP Services | Freephone 0800 327669 | https://www.eapservices.co.nz/ | Employee Assistance Programme – providing practical assistance to employees when personal or work issues arise that may impact on their ability to do their job or affect their wellbeing (confidential counselling services across NZ and internationally). |
| Gambling Helpline | 24-hour Freephone 0800 654655 | https://gamblinghelpline.co.nz/ | |
| Green Prescription | Ask your GP or practice nurse about this | https://www.health.govt.nz/ | GP can assist with this if eligible, to help you be ACTIVE and improve your diet. Improve health and feel better at the same time. |
| Healthy Homes Initiative, NZ Government | https://www.health.govt.nz/ | Work with families, agencies and local partners proving education and access to interventions which create warm, dry healthy homes. | |
| Health Navigator - Prescription Charges | 0800 611 116 | https://www.healthnavigator.org.nz/ | Some medicines are subsidised by government. Find out more about prescription charges. |
| HNZ Housing New Zealand | 0800 801 601 | https://kaingaora.govt.nz/ | Public housing for those who qualify. Quality, affordable housing, meeting diverse needs, and good access to jobs, transport, amenities and services. |
| Kidney Health NZ (KHNZ) | 0800 543 639 | https://www.kidney.health.nz/ | Provide education and support in recognition of the symptoms of kidney disease. Information concerning treatment, fund research into prevention, early detection and cure of kidney disease. Promote donation of kidneys and other organs and tissue for transplantation. Liaise with patient support groups. |
| Kidsline | 0800 543754 (0800 KIDSLINE) | https://www.healthpoint.co.nz/ | For young people up to 18 years of age 24/7. |
| Lifeline | 0800 543354 (0800 LIFELINE) Text ‘Help’ to 4357 | https://www.lifeline.org.nz/ | Lifeline trained counsellors deal with many kinds of issues including psychological and emotional distress, financial and work issues, marriage and family/ whānau problems and with callers who are lonely, ill, depressed or the victims of violence or abuse. |
| Mental Health Services (Need to talk?) | Free call or text 1737 to speak with a trained professional counsellor at any time 24/7 | https://www.health.govt.nz/ | Free counselling service: depression, anxiety, suicidal thoughts, feeling down or overwhelmed. Highly recommended as first point of contact for callers seeking help. |
| Ministry of Health (MOH) | 0800 855 066 | https://www.health.govt.nz/ | Works across the health sector to deliver better health outcomes for New Zealanders. |
| Ministry of Health (MOH) Covid Info | 0800 358 5453 | https://www.health.govt.nz/ | Up to date information and advice on Covid-19. |
| Nau Mai Ra | https://www.naumaira.nz/ | Electricity company – available to all New Zealanders. No contract no fixed daily fee, only pay for what you use. They give back as a portion of your power bill supports a Kaupapa of your choice at no extra cost. | |
| NTA (National Travel Assistance) | 0800 104 141 | https://www.health.govt.nz/ | NTA financial contribution towards travel assistance for those visiting Starship with sick children who live out of Auckland. Must have Community Services Card to qualify. Must be under Public health system. Liaise directly with the NTA person at your DHB to see if eligible. |
| NZ Immigration (Language assistance) | 0800 367 222 | https://www.immigration.govt.nz/ | Free government service, interpreters for over 300 languages. |
| Organ Donation NZ | 0800 436 667 | https://www.donor.co.nz/ | Info on 24 Hour National organ & tissue donation service. |
| Langimalie Tongan Health Society | Onehunga 0800 030 902 29 Hill St, Onehunga, Auckland Panmure 09 570 9827 161 Queens Rd, Panmure, Auckland Glen Eden 09 813 0230 Shop 14, Kelston Shopping Centre, Kelston, Auckland | https://www.tonganhealth.com/ | Provide the best holistic healthcare services to the communities they serve, particularly to people of Tongan descent. 3 Auckland clinics. |
| Rural Support Trust | Helpline 800 787 254 | https://www.rural-support.org.nz/ | Chat to someone who understands, because they’ve been there. |
| Salvation Army | 0800 530000 | https://www.salvationarmy.org.nz/ | Supporting families and individuals in need with budgeting advice, food and clothing assistance, life skills programmes and other comfort and support. |
| Samaritans | 0800 726 66 | https://www.samaritans.org.nz/ | Confidential, non-religious and non-judgemental support to anyone who may be feeling depressed, lonely, or may be contemplating suicide. |
| Social Worker Assistance | 0800 611 116 | Health advice. | |
| SPARX | 0508 477279 or free text to 3110 | https://www.sparx.org.nz/home | An interactive self-help online tool for young people with mild to moderate depression and anxiety. |
| Starship Village App | https://starship.org.nz/ | Guided support for friends and whanau. A safe place to connect add up to 5 whanau members or friends to your village, download free app. | |
| Suicide Crisis Helpline | 0508 828865 (0508 TAUTOKO) | https://www.lifeline.org.nz/ | |
| Supporting Families in Mental Illness | Northern Region 0800 732825 Central North Island 0800 555434 South Island 0800 876682 | https://www.health.govt.nz/ | Information and support for families/whānau. |
| The Depression Helpline | 0800 111 757 or free text 4202 | https://www.healthpoint.co.nz/ | Free text or talk to trained counsellor about how you are feeling or ask questions. |
| The Lowdown | 0800 111 757 or free text 5626 | https://www.thelowdown.co.nz/ | Straight up answers when life sucks. Support and information for young people experiencing depression or anxiety. |
| Victim Support | 0800 842 846. | [email protected] https://victimsupport.org.nz/ | Free 24/7 support. |
| Waipareira Trust | 0800 924 942 | https://www.waipareira.com/ | Support positive life changes for whanau. Free services covering health, housing, social justice and education in the wider Waitakere community. |
| Waitakere Hospital Health Link Office | 09 839 0512 | https://waitakerehealthlink.org.nz/ | Waitakere Health Link – sharing health information with the community and collecting feedback to inform service planning. |
| What’s Up | 0800 9428787 (0800 WHATSUP) | Online chat is available from 5.00pm – 10.00pm daily at: https://whatsup.co.nz/ | For 5 - 18 year olds. Available 12.00pm – 11.00pm M-F or 3.00pm – 11.00pm weekends. |
| WINZ Work and Income | 0800 559 009 | https://www.workandincome.govt.nz/ | May provide financial support if you’re on a low income or not working, support into work and help with housing. (A case manager will be assigned). |
| Youthline | 0800 376633 or free text 234 | [email protected] https://www.youthline.co.nz/ | Mental Health and Addictions Service. Youthline works with young people, their families and those supporting young people. |