Where else to get support
Good Shepherd’s financial wellbeing services are part of a larger network that helps people going through difficult times.
If you’re experiencing harm and hardship, there are many organisations that might be able to help.
Click on a topic below for a list of agencies who can offer support.
If your safety is at immediate risk, please call 111.
General help and service directories
| Citizens Advice Bureau helps people know what their rights are and how to access services they need. Citizens Advice Bureau |
| The Family Services Directory connects people with providers who can help them to cope with common issues and problems. Family Services Directory |
Family violence support
If your safety is at immediate risk, please call NZ Police — 111.
| Women’s Refuge New Zealand provides the support and information you need when you’re dealing with violence in your life. Women’s Refuge New Zealand 0800 733 843 (crisis line) |
| Shine provides confidential family violence support, information and advice. Shine 0508 774 633 (9am-11pm every day) |
| Shakti helps migrant and refugee women of Asian, African and Middle Eastern origin to live a life of dignity free from fear and violence. Shakti International 0800 742 584 (24 hours) |
| Are You Ok provides accessible and relevant information for people seeking support for family violence in New Zealand. Are You Ok 0800 456 450 |
| The Family Violence Information Line is a service from the Mental Health Foundation that connects people with information and services in their region. 0800 456 450 (9am-11pm every day) |
| Safe to Talk is a free and confidential sexual harm support service. Safe To Talk 0800 044 334 (or text 4334) |
| He Waka Tapu provides support to stop using violence. He Waka Tapu 0800 Hey Bro (439 279) |
| Change is Possible provides information for anyone causing harm or supporting others. Change is Possible |
| InnerBoy is a men’s mental health app with a guided support program. InnerBoy |
Financial support, tools and information
| Work and Income provides specific support for people impacted by violent relationships. Work and Income 0800 456 450 |
| Check What You Might Get is a short guide to find out the ways Work and Income can help you and your family. Check What You Might Get |
| IRD can help you figure out if you qualify for Working for Families payments. IRD Working for Families |
| Ministry of Social Development provides services and products that help people and whānau to improve their financial wellbeing. MSD Building Financial Capability |
| Money Talks connects people with financial mentors and services to help them out of financial hardship. Money Talks 0800 345 123 Text 4029 |
| Ngā Tāngata Microfinance offers interest-free loans to New Zealanders who’ve hit a tough patch and don’t know where to turn. Ngā Tāngata Microfinance |
| Debtfix offers expert advice and support to help people get free of debt. Debtfix |
| Sorted provides guides and tools to help people understand and manage their money. Sorted |
| Money and You provides resources to improve your financial confidence and wellbeing. Money and You |
| Christians Against Poverty provides free help for New Zealanders in unmanageable debt and hardship. Christians Against Poverty |
| Money Sweetspot provides financial reset debt consolidation loans to help people take charge of finances and reduce debt. Money Sweetspot |
| The Commerce Commission’s guide to borrowing money helps people understand what to expect from a lender before you borrow, during your loan, and if you have trouble paying. Commerce Commission Guide to Borrowing Money |
Housing and utilities
| Work and Income can provide support to pay rent or other accommodation costs. Work and Income Housing Costs |
| Work and Income also has a calculator for working out rent in social housing. Work and Income Calculating Rent |
| Tenancy Services provides information and guidance for renters. Tenancy Services |
| Salvation Army provides supportive accommodation for people and whānau with a range of needs. Salvation Army Housing Support |
| Habitat for Humanity helps people rent, repair or own warm, safe and healthy homes. Habitat for Humanity |
| EECA’s Warmer Kiwi Homes programme covers up to 90% of the costs to purchase and install insulation and an efficient heater. EECA Warmer Kiwi Homes |
| Powerswitch compares thousands of residential electricity and gas plans to help people find the best option. Powerswitch |
Food support
| Salvation Army food support is provided through 60 centres around the country. Salvation Army Food Support |
| Kore Hiakai Zero Hunger Collective connects people with community food organisations. Zero Hunger Collective |
| Whai Manaaki Kai provides families in West Auckland with food support, nutritional advice, recipes and more. Whai Manaaki Kai |
Young people
| Variety, the Children’s Charity, can help cover the cost of the things your child needs to stay healthy, to go to school and to take part in their community. Variety the Children’s Charity |
| The Youth Education Fund assists with the betterment, education, advancement and physical welfare of young people in the community. Youth Education Fund |
| What’s Up provides a free, nationally-available counselling helpline and web chat service for children and teenagers. What’s Up |
Elder abuse support
| The Elder Abuse Response Service is a free, confidential 24 hour helpline. 0800 32 668 65 You can also text 5032 or email support@elderabuse.nz |
| Age Concern provides expert information and support services in response to older people’s needs. Age Concern 0800 652 105 |
Legal support
| Community Law provides free one-on-one legal help to people who don’t have much money. Community Law |
| Youth Law provides free legal help for people under 25 throughout Aotearoa. Youth Law |
| Local family violence specialist support providers might also be able to recommend a lawyer who can do legal aid. |
LGBTQIA+ support
| OutLine provides a nationwide, free and confidential support line and online chat support service. OutLine 0800 OUTLINE (688 5463) |
| The I’m Local Project has a regional directory of LGBTQIA+ groups and organisations around Aotearoa. I’m Local |
| NZ Police have diversity liaison offers to liaise between Police and LGBTQIA+ communities. NZ Police Diversity Liaison |
Health, including mental health
| HealthEd provides free and up-to-date public health resources from New Zealand health organisations. HealthEd |
| Just a Thought offers free cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) courses to all New Zealanders. Just a Thought |
| Boost Your Wellbeing is a Health New Zealand | Te Whatu Ora initiative improving access and choice in mental health support. Boost Your Wellbeing |
Disability and dental
| Lottery Individuals with Disabilities provides grants to people living with disabilities to help them have better access and be more connected to their communities. Lottery Individuals with Disabilities |
| Revive a Smile provides dental treatment to various members and groups of the community including homeless persons, victims of domestic violence, refugees, youth, low-income adults and the elderly. Revive a Smile |
| Health New Zealand | Te Whatu Ora has information about publicly funded dental care. Health New Zealand publicly funded dental care |
Government support and information
| A Community Services Card can help you with the costs of health care and public transport. Work and Income Community Services Card |
| Check your own credit report using this government advice. Check your own credit report |
| BenefitMe is an independent website that can help people find out about government support they might be eligible for. BenefitMe |
Buying a car
| Carjam can provide information about the history of a vehicle and whether any money is owed. Carjam |
| Trademe has a free tool that assesses the value of a car. Trademe Value My Car |
| Consumer Protection has guidance to help when planning to buy a used car. Consumer Protection used car buying guide |