For Whānau

Below are agencies and services which whānau may wish to access.

Te Manawa Tahi hubs

If you are looking for learning or behavioural support for your child at school, RTLB services and Ministry of Education Learning Support provide an opportunity for whānau to access their services through Te Manawa Tahi hubs.

Te Manawa Tahi hub is a pop-up learning support centre, where individuals and whānau can come and talk to education professionals about their child’s learning needs. They are held in the local community once each term. Contact your local school to find out where and when the next hub will be.

If you have a concern about your child’s language development, learning progress, social and emotional wellbeing, or behaviour, pop into a community hub, or call 0800 5248 4256 to make an appointment.

Below are a range of community services. Some are free and some charge for their services. We have tried to group these under headings, according to the service they offer (eg. counselling). As some offer a range of different services, we suggest you read each brief description or go directly to their website for more information.

General

Te Whatu Ora is based in Whangārei and provides access to various health services and agencies throughout Te Tai Tokerau. These include the following ...

Te Roopu Kimiora

This team provides acute and community services for children and young people (up to 19 years) who have significant mental health, alcohol and other drug concerns.

B4 School Check

The B4 School Check is a free comprehensive health and development check for all four-year-old children. It aims to promote health and wellbeing and identify behavioural, developmental or other health concerns that may affect your child's ability to learn at school. Our aim is for tamariki to get the best start at school and to be able to participate to the best of their ability and receive additional support if needed.

NorthAble provides a wide range of services, equipment, information, and disability support services in Te Taitokerau.

Riding for the disabled provide interaction with horses to improve health and wellbeing outcomes for people experiencing disability, or who have specific challenges or needs. They are a nationwide organisation with branches in Kaitaia and Kerikeri.

Whaikaha provides a range of different Ministry funded services for people with physical, intellectual or sensory disability challenges and their carers.

Counselling

A free 24 hour parenting helpline that provides support for a range of parenting issues. They also provide free online parenting courses. Counselling services are available at a cost, although financial assistance may be available in some cases.

A safe place for children and teenagers/young adults to talk by phone, chat or email. This is a free service. Check out their online resources.

Free counselling services for adults who have experienced family harm, and free one-to-one parenting sessions. Kerikeri and Kaikohe based.

Indigo House supports victims and survivors of sexual violence and harm in New Zealand. They have a team of highly qualified counsellors, social workers and psychologists in all major centres in Northland.

Yellow Brick Road is a national service supporting families towards mental wellbeing. If you are concerned about a whānau member experiencing mental health challenges, Yellow Brick Road whānau support workers can help you by providing a range of family mental health support, information, education and advocacy services.

Neurodiversity

ADHD New Zealand connect people and organisations, provide learning events and opportunities for individuals to share their stories. ADHD NZ also provide expert advice and support.

Autism NZ provides a range of information, advice and education on autism.

IHC provide a range of helpful information & resources on all aspects of intellectual disability, autism and other developmental disabilities.

SPELD NZ is a not-for-profit organisation that specialises in assisting people with dyslexia and other specific learning disabilities. Services include testing and individual tutoring. There is a charge for individual services.

Educational

The Ministry of Education website provides a wealth of information about education in New Zealand. The Ministry of Education Learning Support contact information is available on their website or phone Te Manawa Tahi (0800 5248 4256).

People Potential is a private training company offering NZQA qualifications. They specialise in working closely with rangitahi and whānau to develop a learning plan to meet individual needs. Campuses available in Whangārei and Kaikohe, they offer some free and some paid courses.

Parenting courses

Incredible Years Parent is a 14-session programme for parents of children aged 3-8, which provides parents with skills to better support children towards emotional competence and communication skills.

Triple P Parenting offer online parenting courses for children aged 0-12 and 10-16 years. There is a small cost associated with these courses. Refer to their website for more information.