Covid19 Resources

Key Links and Phone Numbers

New Zealand's Covid Traffic Light System has been retired. 

Official Government Website for Covid-19.

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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. Freephone 0800 568 273.

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Papamoa Family Services
Papamoa Family Services has 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 (please phone to check during lockdown before visiting)
T: 07 574 7170 | E: [email protected]
www.papamoafamilyservices.acw.org.nz

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Welcome Bay Community Centre
Helping vulnerable people with food, firewood and clothing, JP services, budgeting and general support.

Monday to Friday 9am-5 pm. 242 Welcome Bay Road. (please phone to check during lockdown before visiting)
T: 07 544 9774 | E: [email protected]
F: www.facebook.com/WelcomeBayCommunityCentre
www.welcomebay.org.nz

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Ministry for Social Development

MSD are the sole agency responsible for paying the wage subsidy and all superannuation and job seeker benefits.

  • For general enquiries call 0800 559 009
  • To contact the Ministry with wage subsidy queries, the number is 0800 40 80 40. 
  • If you are a superannuitant and require extra financial assistance at this difficult time, please call MSD on 0800 552 002.

Financial help to buy food
If you need financial help to buy food, Work and Income may be able to help.
Visit the Work and Income website for urgent financial support and ongoing needs.
You can apply for a main benefit online and check your eligibility for food assistance.
You can also use the COVID-19 financial support tool on the Unite Against COVID-19 website to see what
support is available to you.
Go to:
• http://www.workandincome.govt.nz (for more information)
• https://my.msd.govt.nz/ (to apply to Work and Income online)
• 0800 559 009 (MSD General Line)
• 0800 552 002 (MSD Seniors 65+)
• 0800 88 99 00 (StudyLink Students)
• http://www.Covid19.govt.nz/business-and-money/financial-support/covid-19-financial-support-tool/
(the COVID-19 Financial Support tool)

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Foodbanks
If you need food urgently (eg if you need food in the next 24 to 48 hours), your local foodbank may be able to help.
You can find your local foodbank by searching on the Family Services Directory website: Family Services Directory website

If you can’t get food delivered
If you have tried and can’t access support through any of the options above, contact your local Civil Defence and Emergency Management (CDEM) Group. Go to: http://www.civildefence.govt.nz/find-your-civil-defence-group/ - Bay of Plenty Regional Council: 0800 884 880 http://www.boprc.govt.nz/

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Personal Safety

Legal issues around employment contracts and Covid-19

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

To access the wage subsidy employers must sign this declaration. 

Here and here are some questions and answers on the subject of jobs at this time.

This flow chart answers some frequently asked questions about wage subsidy entitlements.

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Grocery Shopping

Nationwide list of grocery and meal delivery companies open through Covid-19. 

Tauranga Self Isolation Support is working with local supermarkets to connect vulnerable people with volunteers to help with shopping requests.

Online shopping options for blind and low vision New Zealanders. Or phone 0800 24 33 33.

Stuff article about local food deliveries.

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Ministry of  Health Covid-19 Resources

Healthline 0800 358 5453

Bay of Plenty DHB updates and information.

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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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Countdown Special Assistance

Register for Countdown's Priority Assistance programme for vulnerable people if you can't leave your house due to age, health or mobility issues. We remind people who do have the capacity to shop in person to leave all supermarket delivery and collection slots for those who are house-bound.

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We Care

wecare.kiwi is for people living on their own or caring for others during the pandemic and offers a helping hand and a listening ear during the current Level 4 lockdown period, and will provide practical supports once New Zealand returns to alert Levels 2 and 3.

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Tenancy Law during lockdown

Recent changes to Tenancy Law for tenants and landlords while we're in Level 4.

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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.

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Immigration New Zealand

Advice for foreign nationals on visas in New Zealand

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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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Visual Impairment Assistance

Online shopping options for blind and low vision New Zealanders. Or phone 0800 24 33 33.

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National Foundation for the Deaf

To stay up to date with the latest Covid-19 developments and to keep in touch with the Deaf and hard of hearing community, follow them on Instagram and Facebook. Other key links for hearing impaired people are here including requests for phone calls. 

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Business and Employer Support

There is some guidance for businesses available on the MBIE site here. Requirements for use of leave will depend on the employment agreement and the individual situation.

There is also information available from MSD here, including the Short Term Absence Payment and Leave Support Scheme.

The Wage Subsidy Scheme is also available nationally when there is a move to Alert Level 3 or 4 for 7 days (including only for a specific region) so this has already been activated and businesses can seek support through this. Applications open for all businesses nationally on Friday August 20, with the first payments usually available after three days. Businesses will be eligible for $600 per week per full-time employee and $359 per week per part-time employee.

A Resurgence Support Payment is available for businesses impacted by increased Alert Levels. The RSP is worth up to $1500 plus $400 per full-time equivalent employee, up to a maximum of 50 full-time employees (so up to a total of $21,500). More information can be found here.

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Temporary Accommodation Service

Support for those who are unable to remain isolated where they are. 0508 754 163

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Funerals during Covid-19 Level 4

Funeral Guidelines have been provided in many Pacific languages as well as English. Please let us know if you'd like these in other languages.

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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.