Our Contact Centre will be closed from 5pm on 24 December 2024, reopening at 8am on 3 January 2025. National Office (Aitken Street, Wellington) reception will be closed from 5pm on Friday 20 December, reopening at 8am on Monday 6 January 2025. For more information, see Court and Tribunal hours
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Going through a separation or change in family situation can be stressful. There are a range of services available to help you through this time.
If you're deaf, hard of hearing, or speech impaired you can call these services using the NZ Relay service(external link).
The Citizens Advice Bureau helps you understand your rights and fill out forms. You can find out more on their website.
Citizens Advice Bureau(external link)
Freephone: 0800 367 222
Family Services Directory has a list of support services that help whānau across Aotearoa New Zealand. These services range from housing to counselling.
Family Services Directory(external link)
Freephone: 0800 211 211
CCS Disability Action provides information and support to people with disabilities and their whānau.
CCS Disability Action(external link)
Email: info@ccsDisabilityAction.org.nz
Freephone: 0800 227 200
For most grandparents, raising their grandchildren is the result of an unexpected event that requires a significant readjustment to their lives and the lives of their grandchildren. Grandparents Raising Grandchildren provides specialist support services to full time grandparents and other whānau care families.
Grandparents Raising Grandchildren (external link)
Whānau Ora works with whānau to build strong, healthy and safe lifestyles. They take a whānau centred approach to improving wellness including working on your economic, cultural, environmental, and social needs.
Email: info@whanauora.nz
The Office of Ethnic Communities website contains news alerts and general advice for people in ethnic communities in Aotearoa New Zealand. It also has a list of ethnic community organisations throughout New Zealand.
The Office of Ethnic Communities community directory(external link)
Child support is money paid by parents who do not live with their children, or who share care with someone else. The money is to help with the cost of raising a child. Child support is usually arranged with Inland Revenue.
Freephone: 0800 221 221
The Family Court can help you if there is disagreement about child support payments The Family Court can:
How the Family Court can help with child support disputes
Working for Families tax credit is a payment to help people raise their family. The amount you get in payment will depend on your yearly income and how many children you have.
Working for Families tax credits(external link)
Work and Income may be able to help you meet your day-to-day living costs including accommodation and costs related to raising a child. They may also be able to help if you are raising someone else’s child.
Work and Income(external link)
Freephone: 0800 559 009
Visit your nearest Work and Income Service Centre(external link)
Following a change in circumstances, you may need to manage your income and expenses differently. See what help is available in your area, there are different services that can help with different needs.
It’s normal to feel stressed after a separation or change in family situation. There are a variety of services that can provide help and support if you want it.
If you’re feeling like you need to talk to someone, Need to Talk have trained counsellors and peer support workers who can work with you. This could include a referral to another service, additional counselling or providing information and support.
1737 - Need to Talk?(external link)
Freephone or text: 1737
Lifeline have trained staff and volunteers that can provide confidential support on a range of issues.
Freephone: 0800 543 354
Text: 4357
Skylight offer counselling services to anyone experiencing any kind of grief, loss and trauma which includes separation or a change in family situation.
Freephone: 0800 299 100
Email: info@skylight.org.nz
Are You Ok can help you understand what is considered an unsafe relationship in Aotearoa New Zealand. You can also find a list of family violence services and how to contact those services on the Are You Ok website or on our get help with family violence page.
Freephone: 0800 456 450