Bay of Plenty Community Support

Below are some links for help available to constituents of the Bay of Plenty electorate. If you have other community support services to recommend, we'd love to add these to the directory. Please send through details to [email protected].

Housing Support

Tauranga Community Housing Trust (TCHT) provides affordable housing to vulnerable people and transitional housing to families in housing hardship. We also deliver the healthy homes programme in the Bay of Plenty. If you have a drafty, damp home or children with ongoing respiratory conditions, you can self-refer to this service where we will work with you or your landlord to improve the health of your home.

To access our community housing you need to be referred by a health or social agency. In the case of transitional housing, you must be referred to us from MSD via the emergency housing or social housing registers.

Visit www.tcht.org.nz or call 07 571 5390.

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Ministry for Social Development

MSD are the sole agency responsible for paying superannuation and job seeker benefits as well as emergency grants. MSD also manage the Emergency Housng Register.

  • For general enquiries call 0800 559 009
  • If you are a superannuitant and require extra financial assistance, please call MSD on 0800 552 002.

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Papamoa Family Services
Papamoa Family Services have been providing support to the Papamoa community since 1993 and are committed to offering a range of services to individuals and whānau/families that are meaningful, confidential and solution focused. Services include financial mentoring, food support, social work, family support and counselling.

Monday to Friday 9am-4 pm. 35E Hartford Ave, Papamoa Beach
T: 07 574 7170 | E: [email protected]
www.papamoafamilyservices.acw.org.nz

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Bay Financial Mentors

People in all types of circumstances and from all walks of life can find household budgeting and money management difficult. We offer FREE, confidential and non-judgemental advice by trained financial mentors.  Make an appointment now to come and discuss your situation.

Our financial mentors can guide and support you through tough financial circumstances, liaise with creditors on your behalf, and connect you with other organisations that can help.  We may even help you to manage your bank accounts until finances are under control.

Phone: (07) 578 0969 to make appointments.
E-Mail: [email protected]
Web: www.bfm.org.nzhttps://tgabudget.org.nz/

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Welcome Bay Community Centre
Helping vulnerable people with food, firewood and clothing, JP services, budgeting, youth work and counselling.

Monday to Friday 9am-5 pm. 242 Welcome Bay Road (closes 22 December at 2pm and re opens on Monday 16 January)
T: 07 544 9774 | E: [email protected]
F: www.facebook.com/WelcomeBayCommunityCentre
www.welcomebay.org.nz

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Kai Aroha - Papamoa/Greerton
Each Friday night Tania and her team serve a delicious and nutritious menu to those who can’t put food on their table.
Fridays at 6 pm (Christmas and New Year hours may differ)
- 242 Dickson Road Pāpāmoa, St Paul’s Church
- Greerton Hall, 1263 Cameron Road, Greerton (Winter/Autumn)
- Centrepoint Op Shop, 184 Chadwick Rd, Greerton (Spring/Summer)

www.facebook.com/kaiarohatauranga

[email protected] | www.kaiaroha.org.nz

Additional Community Meal Link.

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Tauranga Community Foodbank

Tauranga Community Foodbank has been operating since 1991. It assists families and individuals who need urgent immediate help with food and also offers longer term help if people are working with an approved registered Budget Advisor. The Foodbank relies solely upon our local community for donations of food, money and volunteer help. If you need or can provide help, please contact the team:
Phone: 07 578 9888
Address: 4G Brook St, Parkvale, Tauranga 3112
Hours: Monday – Friday, 9:30am – 2pm

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Social or Mental Health help

Heretohelpu.nz is a new initiative by the Wise Group which is operated by social workers and provides connections for people in Tauranga who need support of a financial, mental health or general nature. 

If you are unable to submit a help request online, please freephone 0800 568 273 and clearly state:

  • your name
  • your contact telephone number
  • where the help is needed (town or suburb)
  • and give a brief outline of the help you need

One of the team will be in touch with you.

Please note: You'll be asked to leave a message. The team regularly check messages and will call you back when they clear your message.

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Legal Concerns

Contact your local Community Law centre for advice with employment contracts or other legal issues. In the Tauranga area it's Baywide Community Law. 

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Kidz Need Dadz - Helping Kiwi Men To Be Great Dads
Kidz Need Dadz’ mission is to help New Zealand men be the best fathers they can be. As well as supporting fathers, they educate the broader community about the need for dads to
be involved with their children. 
Help is available with parenting, relationship separation, assistance with legal advice and mentoring and information on health and wellbeing services for men.
There are a range of programmes, events and resources available at www.kidzneeddadz.org.nz.

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Grocery Shopping

Online shopping options for blind and low vision New Zealanders. If someone you know who is blind or has low vision and doesn’t have access to online shopping, there are organisations that can help. Encourage them call Blind Low Vision NZ on 0800 24 33 33 or email [email protected] for support. 

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Health Resources

Healthline 0800 358 5453 for medical advice.

Health New Zealand Bay of Plenty contact details relating to Tauranga Hospital and related departments at this contact page.

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Mental Health Helpline 

Call or text 1737 any time of the day or night. The Mental Health Foundation has published a set of tips and advice for people who are struggling more than usual. 

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We Care

wecare.kiwi is for people living on their own or caring for others and offers a helping hand and a listening ear.  0800 777 797[email protected].

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Salvation Army and Financial Assistance/Budgeting Advice

The Salvation Army have partnered with Good Shepherd to provide speedy financial relief to people impacted by Covid-19. People can apply for no-interest or low-interest loans for bills, rent or debt as well as essential goods and services. Call The Salvation Army on 0800 854 009 or apply here. The Salvation Army is also available for support locally on 07 578 4264 Option 3.

The Salvation Army will close at midday on Friday 23 December and re-open on Monday 9 January.

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Ministry of Foreign Affairs

Advice for New Zealanders overseas.

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Life Unlimited

For hearing difficulties and mobility support. Website here.

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Hanmer Clinic

For addiction and alcoholism support by phone:
Caleb Putt | Portfolio Manager – Mental Health and Addiction Services
Te Teo Herenga Waka, Planning and Funding
Bay of Plenty District Health Board | 190 Seventeenth Ave | Tauranga 3110 | New Zealand
07 557 5632 | [email protected]

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Good Neighbour is a local initiative connecting donors and volunteers with people in need. Their support services include affordable firewood, food parcels, kitchen training, community gardens and internship programmes. 
Address: 39B Burrows Street, Tauranga 3112
Email: [email protected]
Phone: 07 394 4249 / 022 043 1040

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Age Concern provides services and support for the wellbeing of older people in our community. Local programmes include falls prevention, mobility transport, social activities.
177a Fraser Street, Tauranga 3112 NEW ZEALAND Phone 07 578 2631 | www.ageconcerntauranga.org.nz

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Bravehearts - Support for families affected by drug and alcohol use

Since 2016 the work of Brave Hearts' Erin Scarlett O’Neill has grown and developed into a Brave Hearts whanau which provides support and assistance to families that are struggling to cope with and the challenges they are facing each day.  Substance abuse is a disorder that can impact families in countless ways, and the effects of drug and alcohol use in the family go well beyond the direct effects on the person using them. Living with a loved one who uses drugs or alcohol has a huge impact on the whole family, affecting physical, emotional and mental health, as well as having financial ramifications.

Brave Hearts facilitates group meetings, provides phone support, tailormakes a ‘coping plan’ (toolkit template as not one size fits all) and can refer those who need it to counselling or other professional service providers. http://www.bravehearts.nz. 

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AvaNiu Pasifika supports families with health, social and education services. Alternatively, we will facilitate pathways to access the most appropriate services, on your behalf. We work with trusted partners to create opportunities for Pasifika wellness and prosperity. 260a Cameron Road, Gate Pa, Tauranga, 3112  (07) 282 8913 Email: [email protected]
Hours: 8.00 am – 4.30 pm Mondays to Fridays (closed 22nd Dec. Open on Jan 9th community support referrals through their website and heretohelpu)

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Pacific Island Community Trust provides  a range of services covering health, social services, and education workshops/programmes. Some of these include a Mobile Nursing Service, our Outpatient Advocacy and Support Service, and Community Support Worker. We also offer a Pasifika Playgroup and facilitate community events. All the services we provide are free. 
26B Twelfth Avenue, Tauranga South 3112
07 577 1270  |  [email protected]  |  https://www.pict.org.nz/