Who to call if there's an emergency
In an emergency (ambulance, fire, police) – call 111 in New Zealand (make sure to use the appropriate emergency number in other countries).
Health helplines
- call Healthline on 0800 611 116 if you need health advice about your baby or child
- call PlunketLine on 0800 933 922 if you need advice about child health or parenting
- call the National Poisons Centre on 0800 764 766 for help in the case of poisoning
Mental health helplines
- call Youthline on 0800 376 633, free text 234 or email talk@youthline.co.nz. Youthline offers a free helpline service 24 hours a day, 7 days a week
- call The Low Down on 0800 111 757, text 5626 or email team@thelowdown.co.nz
- call Whatsup? on 0800 942 8787. Whatsup? is for young people aged between 5 and 18. Phone counselling is available between 11am and 11pm every day of the year. Online chat is available between 11am and 10:30pm 7 days a week, including all public holidays
- call SPARX on 0508 4 SPARX (0508 477 279) or free text 3110. SPARX is a self-help e-therapy tool for rangatahi aged between 12 and 19 and also offers a helpline
- call or text 1737 to access a free national counselling service. Call or text 1737 any time for support from a trained counsellor or peer support worker
- call the Suicide Crisis Line on 0508 TAUTOKO (0508 828 865). The Suicide Crisis Line is a free, nationwide service available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week
Helplines for specific issues
- call Oranga Tamariki on 0508 326 459 if you suspect child abuse or neglect or are worried that a baby or child you know is not safe or being well cared for
- call Women’s Refuge on 0800 733 843 for help, support or information for women and children experiencing violence in their lives
- call OUTLine on 0800 688 5463 (0800 OUTLINE) for sexuality or gender identity issues (10am to 9pm Monday to Friday, and 6pm to 9pm weekends)
- call the youth Alcohol Drug Helpline on 0800 787 YTH (0800 787 984) available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week or free text 8681 and a counsellor will txt you back
- call Shine domestic abuse services on 0508 744 633 (9am to 11pm) if you are experiencing domestic abuse, or want to know how to help someone else
- call the family violence information line on 0800 456 450 to find out about local services or how to help someone near you
- call the Gambling Helpline on 0800 654 655, free text 8006 or online chat via its website
- call Aoake te Rā on 0800 000 053 for free counselling for people bereaved by suicide
- call Rural Support on 0800 787 254 for people in rural communities dealing with financial or personal challenges
- call Shakti Crisis Line on 0800 742 584 (0800 SHAKTI) for culturally competent support services for women, children and families of Asian, African and Middle Eastern origin who have experienced domestic violence
- call Rape Crisis on 0800 883 300 for support after rape or sexual assault
- call Help, a HELPline on 0800 623 1700, available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, for support for sexual abuse survivors in Auckland
- call EDANZ on 0800 233 269 for information, support and resources about supporting someone with an eating disorder
- call the Asian Family Services on 0800 862 342 or email help@asianfamilyservices.nz. The service provides professional, confidential support in multiple languages to Asians living in New Zealand, Monday to Friday 9am to 8pm
- call Skylight on 0800 299 100 for support through trauma, loss and grief (8.30am to 4.30pm weekdays)
- call Yellow Brick Road on 0800 732 825 (Northern Region), 0800 555 434 (Central North Island), 0800 876 682 (South Island) - for families and whānau supporting a loved one who has a mental illness
- call The Grief Centre on 0800 331 333 for support for all forms of loss, grief, trauma or difficult change
- call the Vagus Line on 0800 567 6666 (Mon, Wed, Fri 12 noon to 2pm). The Vagus Line promotes family harmony among Chinese, enhance parenting skills, decrease conflict among family members (couple, parent-child, in-laws) and stop family violence
- call Safe to Talk on 0800 044 334 or free text 4334 for help to do with sexual harm. Available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week and staffed by trained counsellors
