For issues other than gender identity or sexual orientation, you may be able to get help from one or more of the services below.
In an emergency phone 111, if anyone is in immediate physical danger. Or go to your nearest hospital emergency department (ED).
You can find other rainbow and HIV resources here.
Phone support
1737
Need to talk? Free call or text 1737 any time for support from a trained counsellor.
Lifeline – 0800 543 354 or free text HELP (4357)
Free, confidential 24/7 support from health professionals and trained volunteers.
Suicide Crisis Helpline – 0508 TAUTOKO (0508 828 865)
Specialist 24/7 suicide support line provided by Lifeline.
Healthline – 0800 611 116
Free call 24/7 for advice and information on any health issue, provided by registered health professionals.
Samaritans – 0800 726 666
Confidential, non‑judgemental and non‑religious support for those experiencing loneliness, depression, despair, distress or suicidal feelings. Free call 24/7.
Mental health crisis services
To find your local mental health crisis assessment team, you can search by region on the Mental Health Foundation website or browse the Ministry of Health’s directory.
Specialist helplines
Alcohol and Drug Helpline – 0800 787 797 or free text 8681
Professional, non-judgmental help and advice on drinking or drug taking, provided by trained counsellors. Online chat support available.
Anxiety New Zealand – 0800 ANXIETY (0800 269 4389)
Free 24/7 help line for people who experience anxiety, depression, panic attacks, OCD or phobias. Anxiety NZ also provides counselling, clinical services, peer support and educational resources.
EDANZ provides eating disorder support, education and awareness. Their helpline for people caring for others with eating disorders is available on 0800 2 EDANZ (0800 2 33269).
Depression Helpline – 0800 111 757 or free text 4202
Free and confidential 24/7 help line run by trained counsellors, for people experiencing depression or seeking advice.
Gambling Helpline – 0800 654 655 or free text 8006
Free and confidential 24/7 support for gambling addiction. They also provide specialist services and a range of resources.
Netsafe – 0508 NETSAFE (0508 638 723) or free text ‘Netsafe’ to 4282
Free and confidential online safety help and advice, available from 8am to 8pm on weekdays, and 9am to 5pm on weekends and public holidays. You can also report harmful online content.
Safe to Talk – 0800 044 334 or free text 4334
Free and confidential 24/7 support for people who have been sexually harmed, or are seeking information for themselves or others. Online chat support available.
Shakti Crisis Line – 0800 SHAKTI (0800 742 584)
Provides a 24/7 crisis line for migrant or refugee women living with family violence.
Shine Helpline – 0508 744 633
Free 24/7 support line for people experiencing family violence, or seeking information and advice for others experiencing abuse. Shine also provides online chat support and resources.
Warmlines provide free peer support for consumers of mental health services, or those supporting them. Warmlines are available in these regions:
Tāmaki Makaurau Auckland – 0508 927 654 or 0508 WARMLINE (8pm to midnight every day)
Canterbury and West Coast – 0800 899 276 (1pm to midnight every day)
Te Whanganui-a-Tara Wellington – 0800 200 207 (7pm–1am, Tuesday to Sunday)
What’s Up – 0800 942 8787
Phone counselling for young people aged 5 to 19, available every day from 11am to 11pm. Online chat is available every day from 11am to 10.30pm.
Women’s Refuge Crisis Line – 0800 REFUGE (0800 733 843)
Information, advice and support about domestic violence as well as help in a crisis. Free call 24/7.
Youthline – 0800 376 633 or free text 234
Free and confidential 24/7 support for young people and those supporting them. Youthline also provides online chat support, counselling and youth mentoring.
Sexual and reproductive health
Just the Facts provides information and resources on sexually transmitted infections (STIs), safer sex, and where to get tested.
Family Planning provides sexual and reproductive health information, clinical services, education and training, and research. They can help with contraception, STI testing and treatment, cervical screening, pregnancy testing, abortion advice, HPV vaccinations and more.
The New Zealand Sexual Health Society provides a list of sexual health clinics by region.
The Period Place is an inclusive menstrual justice charity that focusses on advocacy, outreach, education and promotion. They also distribute thousands of disposable and reusable period products around Aotearoa to those who need them.
Mental health resources
The Mental Health Foundation provides a wide range of resources on mental health and wellbeing, including information on accessing support and a directory of community support groups.
The Lowdown provides resources created with and for rangatahi around hauora, identity, culture and mental health. They also have trained counsellors – phone 0800 111 757 or free text 5626.
Just a Thought provides free online therapy tools and resources to support New Zealanders with their mental health.
Supporting Aotearoa’s Rainbow People is a practical guide for professionals who provide mental health support in Aotearoa.
Other support
Citizens Advice Bureau provides free, confidential, independent information and advice to anyone. They help people know what their rights are and how to access services they need. They also provide a community directory of 35,000 local services and organisations.
Community Law provides free legal help, from easy-to-read information, to community workshops, to one-on-one legal help for those in need.
Youth Law provides free legal help for children and young people. Services include a free legal advice line at 0800 884529, available Monday to Friday from 10am to 4pm.
If you think we should add other resources here, please contact us with as much information as possible.