Family violence support

Police(external link)
111 in an emergency, or phone 105 or visit your local Police station.

Abuse and Rape Crisis Support Manawatu(external link)
Phone the national 24-hour telephone support line 0800 472 496. Provides services to children, adolescents and adults who are survivors of sexual violence and to their whānau. They work across all gender, sexuality, ethnicity and cultural identities and offer a range of support services, whether the abuse occurred recently or some time ago. The abuse does not need to have been reported to access their services.

Are you OK?(external link)
Phone 24/7 helpline 0800 456 450.
Offers information and tools to understand unsafe relationships, access support and find the right services for you or someone in need.

Asian Family Services(external link) 
Asian Helpline on 0800 862 342, text 832 or email [email protected]. The only provider for Asian people who are affected by gambling harm/mental health issue in New Zealand.

Citizens Advice Bureau(external link)
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 use insights from our clients' experiences to show when policies and laws and/or their implementation are having a negative impact on people. Phone 0800 367 222 hours Mon-Fri 9-4pm or Sat 9.30-1pm.

Family Action(external link)
Offers a range of free services for those who have experienced abuse, trauma, family and sexual violence. Phone 0800 326 327, (09) 836 1987 or email [email protected].

Family Court(external link)
The Family Court deals with lots of issues, from making orders for children not yet born right through to older people who are in need of care and protection. Phone 0800 224 733 (the Ministry of Justice contact centre is available from 8:30am - 5:00pm, Monday to Friday) or email [email protected].

Family Services Directory(external link)
Lists information about family support organisations and the services/programmes they offer to support New Zealand families.

Family Violence – safety programmes(external link)
Being safe is important for your and your children’s wellbeing. Wellbeing includes your physical, emotional and spiritual health and your access to basics like food, housing, healthcare. Wellbeing also includes having the freedom to make your own choices about how you live your life. Through safety programmes, you can learn ways to deal with conflict, access extra support and promote positive relationships.

Find a lawyer(external link)
The law affects nearly everything we do but it can be complex and expert advice is often needed. A lawyer has the training, experience and knowledge to help you. If your lawyer can’t help you with a particular matter, they can refer you to another specialist. Phone 04 472 7837.

Community Law – Free legal advice(external link)
Community Law helps with all kinds of legal problems, from employment, family and housing issues to criminal matters, human rights and Māori land.

Change is Possible(external link)
Phone 0800 456 450 for 24/7 specialist family violence support. If you're concerned that your behaviour is hurting or scaring the ones you love, you can find information and support here to make positive changes for you and your family/whānau. Start your journey today.

Legal aid(external link)
Legal aid is an important part of New Zealand's justice system. It helps people to resolve legal problems that may go to court and makes sure that people are not denied justice because they can't afford a lawyer. Phone 0800 253 425.

Oranga Tamariki (Ministry for Children)(external link)
Ministry dedicated to supporting any child in Aotearoa New Zealand whose wellbeing is at significant risk of harm now, or in the future. We also work with young people who may have offended, or are likely to offend. Phone 0508-326-459 (24 hours a day, 7 days a week) or email [email protected].

Pet Refuge(external link)
New Zealand’s first shelter dedicated to temporarily housing pets affected by family violence, the Pet Refuge facility is more than just a safe space—it’s a place of healing, expertly designed to support pets on their journey to recovery.

Safe to Talk(external link)
Phone 24/7 helpline 0800 044 334.
Provides contact with a trained specialist at any time, day or night, 7 days a week. Answers to questions about sexual harm. Information about medical, emotional and behavioural issues related to harmful experiences. 

Shakti(external link)
Phone 24/7 helpline 0800742 584.
Phone 0800SHAKTI (0800742584) 24/7 multi lingual toll-free crisis-line or email [email protected]. Shakti offers specialist services focused on awareness, prevention, and intervention for survivors of domestic violence from Asian, Middle Eastern, and African and Middle Eastern women and their children experiencing domestic violence.

Shine(external link)
Phone 24/7 helpline 0508 744 633.
Shine provides a range of effective, practical and innovative services to achieve their mission to stop family violence in New Zealand. They directly help thousands of adults and children who experience abuse every year to become safer through our frontline services; and indirectly help thousands more through their education and training programmes: Shine RESPOND in communities, the DVFREE programme in workplaces and our health sector partnerships.

Victims Information(external link)
Phone 0800 650 654. Helping people affected by crime, and their whānau or friends to manage the practical and emotional impacts of crime. You'll also find information to help you understand the legal and court process. There is specific information in English(external link) and Māori(external link) for people affected by sexual violence.

Victim Support | Manaaki Tāngata(external link)
Emotional and practical support, information, referral to other support services, and advocacy for the rights of victims. Phone the 24/7 helpline 0800‑842‑846. If you are a victim of sexual violence, and of serious crime, you may be eligible for financial support (external link)under the victim assistance scheme (VAS). The type of financial support you receive will depend on your individual circumstances. 

Women's Refuge(external link)
Crisisline 0800 REFUGE or 0800 733 843 available 24/7 or email [email protected].
A women’s organisation for women and their children to help prevent and stop family violence in New Zealand. Provides education programmes, support services, information, and safe housing to women, young people and children experiencing abuse.