Bay of Plenty Crisis Support
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Immediate help in Bay of Plenty
If someone may harm themselves or someone else, call 111, go to the nearest emergency department, or contact the local mental health crisis support pathway.
Bay of Plenty crisis support
Bay of Plenty covers several communities with different local pathways. The best first step may depend on whether someone is in Tauranga, Rotorua, Whakatāne, Ōpōtiki, Kawerau, or a rural/coastal area.
Find local support by area
Bay of Plenty may grow into a larger page later, but for now these towns and districts can sit together here so people can find a starting point without too many separate pages.
Tauranga / Western Bay of Plenty
For Tauranga, Mount Maunganui, Papamoa, Katikati and nearby communities.
- Emergency: 111
- 1737 for free call or text support
- Use nearest emergency department, GP, or after-hours health pathway if urgent
Rotorua
For Rotorua and surrounding communities.
- Emergency: 111
- 1737 for lower-pressure emotional support
- Use local emergency or hospital pathway if safety is a concern
Whakatāne / Eastern Bay of Plenty
For Whakatāne and nearby Eastern Bay communities.
- Emergency: 111
- 1737 for call or text support
- Use local urgent health or hospital pathway if needed
Te Puke / Maketū / Paengaroa
For smaller Western Bay communities.
- Emergency: 111
- 1737 if speaking or texting feels easier
- Contact local GP, after-hours, or urgent care if immediate support is needed
Kawerau
For Kawerau and nearby communities.
- Emergency: 111
- 1737 for free call or text support
- Use nearest urgent health or hospital pathway if safety is a concern
Ōpōtiki
For Ōpōtiki and coastal/rural Eastern Bay communities.
- Emergency: 111
- 1737 for emotional support anytime
- Use local health, emergency, or hospital pathways if urgent
Lower-pressure support options
Some people need quieter options before they can make a phone call. Lower-pressure support can include texting 1737, asking someone to stay nearby, writing down what is happening, or using a support person to help explain things.
Call or text 1737
Useful when someone needs to talk or text with a trained support person.
Ask someone to stay nearby
A trusted person can reduce pressure, help with transport, or support the call.
Write down key details
Helpful notes include location, immediate risks, medication, support people, and what feels hard right now.
Support for different needs
Some people need crisis support that is identity-safe, neurodivergent-friendly, culturally safe, youth-friendly, disability-accessible, or whānau-aware.
Youth & teens
Use simple language, reduce pressure, offer choices, and involve safe adults where appropriate.
Parents, carers & whānau
Supporters may need guidance too when someone they care about is unsafe or overwhelmed.
Neurodivergent people
Lower stimulation, clear choices, written options, and extra processing time can make support safer.
Māori & kaupapa support
Cultural safety, whānau involvement, and trusted community connections can be important parts of support.
LGBTQIA+ support
Identity-safe support matters when crisis is linked to safety, belonging, gender, sexuality, or rejection.
Rural access support
Transport, distance, phone access, and local service availability may affect how someone gets help.
What to do next
When someone is distressed, the next step does not need to be perfect. Start with safety, reduce immediate risks, stay connected, and contact the most appropriate support.
1. Check immediate safety
If there is danger now, call 111 or go to the nearest emergency department.
2. Contact support
Use 1737, emergency services, or the nearest local urgent health pathway depending on urgency.
3. Plan follow-up
After the immediate crisis, consider GP follow-up, community support, peer support, whānau support, or practical support.