Kids climbing a tree

Community Services

Information on services and community groups and how to access them including listing of directories available. 

Finding what services and groups exist in your community has never been easier. There are many online and print directories listing all kinds of advice, services and support for families and children.

As well as looking online, you can also ask:

  •  your local council of community services or other networking body 
  •  a friendly librarian
  •  an advisor at the closest Citizen Advice Bureau
  •  a council community worker 
  •  kaiwhakahaere at a nearby marae
  •  your local font of wisdom.

Finding social services

Family Services Directory

Lists organisations in your area that can help you or your family. Run by Family and Community Services who keep the this directory up-to-date. Find out more about the Family Services Directory.

Heartlands Service Centres

Service Centres around New Zealand are 'one stop shops' that feature services and information from a range of government organizations. This includes forms, guidelines, email and phone facilities, and access to government websites. Heartland Services Co-ordinators can make appointments for you with visiting government agencies and direct you to services that meet your needs.

Other sources of information

Citizen's Advice Bureau

An independent community organisation providing information, advice, advocacy and support to individuals from 90 bureaux around Aotearoa New Zealand.

Community Help Directory

A directory of services provided by government departments, state owned enterprises, and non-government agencies. As well as contact details the directory describes the services provided. Latest edition: 2008-2009. Print only.

Eldernet

A database for older people listing New Zealand rest homes, residential care, retirement villages, home help, community groups, public hospitals and other third age services.

Healthpages

A list of health and wellbeing services to assist people to self-refer, finding health professionals, or network within the health sector.

Te Kāhui Māngai

A national directory of iwi and Māori organisations in New Zealand. Primarily designed for any party wishing to consult representatives of Māori tribes around New Zealand. The directory is maintained by Te Puni Kōkiri.

Iwi and Māori Authorities, Central and Local Services Directory, CommunityOutcomes.govt.nz

A list of runanga, iwi authorities, Māori land courts and other Māori organisations.

Local community directories

Many councils maintain list of social services, community groups, associations and other organisations.

Naumaiplace.com

One place online where hundreds of marae share their history, stories, photos and news. There is also a marae booking facility. 

Office of Ethnic Affairs community directory

 A list of agencies that work with ethnic communities, families and individuals.

Webhealth

Listings of health and social services, along with relevant information, for people served by eight DHBs: Waitemata, Auckland, Counties-Manukau, Waikato, Bay of Plenty, Lakes, Taranaki and Canterbury.

Weka - what everybody keeps asking about disability

New Zealand's disability information web site, for people with disabilities, their families, whānau and caregivers, health professionals and disability information providers.