Our Services

Individual and whanau support

Free Support Services for Families & Young People in North Canterbury

Community Wellbeing North Canterbury Trust is part of a network of free service providers working together to support the mental health and wellbeing of tamariki, rangatahi, and their whānau. 

Family Social Work

Our qualified family social workers support you and your whānau to strengthen your wellbeing.

They can also link you up with other local resources, information and services to help you on your journey.

New Start

New Start is a long-term counselling service for rangatahi aged 12-25 years facing challenges related to alcohol and drug use: whether their own or someone else’s.

Mana Ake

We are providers of Mana Ake in primary schools across North Canterbury, offering early mental health and wellbeing support for tamariki.

All referrals for Mana Ake are made through your child’s school. For more information check out the Mana Ake website.

Manu Ka Rere

We provide Manu Ka Rere, a brief talk-therapy service for rangatahi aged 13-24 who need mental health support.

All referrals are managed centrally through Manu Ka Rere’s website. North Canterbury referrals will be allocated to our team, and a clinician will be in touch.

Kaiapoi Food Bank and Community Support

Asking for help shows strength

If you’re struggling to put food on the table, we’re here for you.

Anyone in the Kaiapoi, Woodend, Pegasus, Waikuku, Ohoka and Kainga areas can request a food parcel – no referral needed. Just call one of our friendly volunteers.

Request a food parcel: 0800 88 34 88
Email us: kcs@wellbeingnc.org.nz
Opening hours: Monday-Friday, 10am – 2pm

Parenting Programmes

Parenting isn’t always easy, but you don’t have to do it alone. We offer free parenting courses for all ages of children and a drop-in centre for parents of teenagers.

Our parenting programmes are proudly supported by MainPower.

If you’re a parent, grandparent, or caregiver in North Canterbury, you can attend our internationally recognised parenting programmes:

Tuning into Kids & Tuning into Teens

• Learn how to help your child build strong emotional skills
• Ideal for parents of preschoolers to teens
• Free six-session programmes, running regularly both online and in-person
• Developed by the University of Melbourne and led by accredited facilitators from Community Wellbeing North Canterbury

Building Awesome Whānau

• A uniquely Aotearoa-based parenting programme
• Designed for parents of tamariki aged 0-12, but helpful for older children too
• Developed by The Parenting Place, drawing on mātauranga Māori
• Practical tools for raising confident, resilient children

All courses are FREE and online options are available.

Drop-in centre for parents of teenagers

Free, confidential support for parents and caregivers of secondary school students. 

Restorative Justice North Canterbury

Restorative justice gives victims an opportunity to talk with offenders and say how they have been affected by the offenders’ actions. Offenders must take responsibility for the harm caused.

Karanga Mai Early Learning Centre

Karanga Mai provides high-quality culturally responsive education and care for tamariki of both young parents attending Karanga Mai Young Parents College and community whānau.

Karanga Mai is a whānau-based learning community where supportive and respectful relationships empower everyone to belong, to believe, to discover, to grow.