Gisborne / Tairāwhiti Crisis Support
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Immediate help in Gisborne / Tairāwhiti
If someone may harm themselves or someone else, call 111, go to the nearest emergency department, or contact the local mental health crisis team.
Tairāwhiti crisis team
The Tairāwhiti Mental Health Crisis Team accepts referrals by phone and supports triage, psychiatric assessment, crisis care, and cultural support across the district. Health New Zealand lists the main number as 0800 243 500, with 06 869 0512 after 10pm. :contentReference[oaicite:0]{index=0}
Find local support by area
Gisborne / Tairāwhiti can stay as one regional page for now, with local towns and communities grouped inside this page. This keeps the page useful without creating too many separate pages too early.
Gisborne / Tūranganui-a-Kiwa
For Gisborne city and nearby communities.
- Emergency: 111
- Tairāwhiti crisis team: 0800 243 500
- After 10pm: 06 869 0512
- 1737 for free call or text support
East Coast / Te Tai Rāwhiti
For communities along the East Coast where distance, transport, and phone access may affect support pathways.
- Emergency: 111
- Tairāwhiti crisis team: 0800 243 500
- Use nearest urgent health pathway if immediate safety support is needed
Ruatoria / Ngāti Porou rohe
For Ruatoria and surrounding East Coast communities.
- Emergency: 111
- Tairāwhiti crisis team: 0800 243 500
- 1737 if speaking or texting feels easier
Tokomaru Bay / Tolaga Bay
For coastal communities north of Gisborne.
- Emergency: 111
- Tairāwhiti crisis support: 0800 243 500
- Use local health or emergency pathways if urgent
Te Karaka / inland communities
For inland communities where travel, weather, or distance may affect access to support.
- Emergency: 111
- Tairāwhiti crisis team: 0800 243 500
- 1737 for lower-pressure emotional support
Rural and remote communities
For smaller communities across Tairāwhiti where support may need to be practical, local, and whānau-aware.
- Emergency: 111
- Use crisis team or local health pathway if urgent
- 1737 for free call or text support anytime
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 asking a trusted person to help explain the situation.
Call or text 1737
Useful when someone needs to talk or text with a trained support person.
Ask whānau or a trusted person
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 crisis support
Use the Tairāwhiti crisis team, 1737, or emergency services depending on urgency.
3. Plan follow-up
After the immediate crisis, consider GP follow-up, community support, peer support, whānau support, or practical support.