Illustrated Pasifika family together beside a peaceful coastal scene; Pasifika Whānau, Parents and Carers Support
Aotearoa New Zealand · Family · Whānau · Aiga · Support

Pasifika Whānau, Parents & Carers Support — NZ

Helping someone you love through emotional distress, overwhelm or a mental health crisis can be frightening. You deserve support too — with care, culture, connection and manageable next steps.

This page is for parents, grandparents, guardians, partners, siblings, whānau, aiga and other trusted supporters. You can explore urgent help, local crisis teams, Pasifika-led wellbeing options and guidance on what to say and do.

Urgent helpSupporting someoneFind a NZ regionRelated support pages
A gentle note

You can start with one small step

You do not need to have every answer. A calm conversation, contacting a trusted person, asking a crisis team for guidance or finding someone to sit with you can all be useful starting points.

Every Pasifika family is different. You can ask for support that respects your culture, language, spirituality, chosen family, boundaries and communication needs. If a service does not feel suitable, ask what other options are available.

Immediate safety · New Zealand

If someone is in danger right now

If there is an immediate threat to life or safety, call 111 or go to the nearest emergency department. If urgent mental health assessment is needed, contact the appropriate regional crisis team below. You can also seek advice through Healthline. Emotional-support helplines do not replace emergency services.

Emergency: 111

Police, Fire or Ambulance when someone is in immediate danger.

Call 111

1737 — Need to talk?

Free call or text 1737, day or night, to speak with a trained counsellor for emotional support.

About 1737 ↗

Lifeline

Call 0800 543 354 or text HELP to 4357.

Lifeline ↗
Official NZ crisis-team contacts ↗NZ Crisis Support Directory
Choose the support that fits

Support pathways for families and carers

Choose the closest option. These links are guidance and service directories — not personalised crisis assessments or live GeoDirectory results.

I'm worried about someone's safety

Start with immediate safety, the local crisis team or the emergency department when necessary.

Urgent options

Pacific-led wellbeing support

Explore free Pacific wellbeing services and culturally grounded care. They are not emergency response teams.

Explore Pacific services ↗

I need support as a carer

Make space for your own rest, support person and wellbeing needs while helping someone else.

Support for carers

Talking is hard right now

Explore text/chat options and ask services about language or communication support.

Text and chat pathways

Supporting a young person

Young people may need age-appropriate privacy, safety planning and additional trusted adults.

Browse audience pathways

Everyday practical assistance

For ongoing counselling, family wellbeing or community support, start with Pacific wellbeing services or Healthpoint.

Find services ↗
For parents, family and trusted supporters

When you're worried about someone you love

  1. Notice immediate safety needs. If there is serious or immediate danger, call 111.
  2. Speak gently and listen. Try “I’m concerned about you. Are you safe right now?” without pressuring them to explain everything.
  3. Ask what kind of help feels possible. Offer to sit beside them, call or text together, or help arrange an assessment.
  4. Find backup for yourself. Ask a trusted person to support you, especially if you are overwhelmed or caring for children.
  5. Take one safe next step. You can return to these options, ask for clarification and review your support plan.
Safety note: If someone may seriously harm themselves or others, seek urgent professional or emergency help. Do not rely on an unmonitored wellbeing website for immediate crisis response.
Illustration of a multigenerational Pasifika family talking together near a peaceful Pacific coastline
What to expect

What happens when you ask for support?

When you call a crisis team

A worker may ask where you are, what is happening, whether anyone is in immediate danger and what support is already available. They may advise next steps or arrange an assessment. Processes vary by service and urgency.

When you approach a Pacific wellbeing service

You can ask about eligibility, location, costs, language preferences, aiga involvement and whether an appointment or referral is needed. Health NZ's Pacific Access and Choice services are free and do not require a referral.

Pacific wellbeing providers ↗

Choice, consent and privacy

Ask what information will be shared, who will be involved, and what confidentiality limits may apply when there are serious safety concerns. People's choices and circumstances differ.

Accessibility and communication

You can ask whether the service offers an interpreter, written explanations, extra processing time, accessible communication, or a trusted support person where appropriate.

Support for supporters

Your wellbeing matters, too

It is okay to feel tired, unsure or worried. If safe and possible, share practical tasks, ask someone you trust to sit with your loved one, take a break and seek your own support. You can use 1737 for emotional support and ask local services for family and carer guidance.

Pasifika families, whānau, aiga and chosen supporters may have different relationships and expectations. There is no single right way to seek help.

General Pasifika Crisis Support — NZLe Va wellbeing resources ↗
North Island · South Island · Official contacts

Find a mental health crisis team in your region

Choose North or South Island, or search for your town or region. The phone numbers shown are based on Health New Zealand's public crisis assessment team list checked in October 2026. Some numbers are time-specific; always check the official directory if unsure.

Urgent situation? Call 111 or go to the nearest emergency department if there is immediate danger. For regional changes, check the official Health NZ contact list.

Showing all regions.

No matching region is showing. Try another town name or choose “All regions”. For urgent help, use the official Health NZ crisis-team directory above.

Region numbers and call-menu notes: Health New Zealand — Mental health crisis assessment teams. Use these numbers only for appropriate urgent mental health needs. Other services may have different hours and coverage.

Culturally grounded ongoing care

Pacific wellbeing and community connections

For wellbeing support that isn't an immediate emergency, Health New Zealand lists free Pacific Access and Choice providers. These services recognise that culture, community and family relationships can be important to wellbeing.

Le Va also offers Pacific wellbeing and mental-health education resources, including Mental Wealth and young people's information. These are useful supporting resources, not crisis dispatch services.

Find a Pacific wellbeing service ↗Explore Le Va ↗Mental Wealth ↗
Pastel watercolour coastline with turquoise sea, island mountains and tropical flowers
Frequently asked questions

Questions families may have

Can I ask for advice if I am concerned about someone else?

Yes. You can ask a local crisis team or health professional what support may be available and what to do next. What they can share about another person's private health information may be limited.

Can my family ask for culturally appropriate support?

You can ask about Pacific-led providers, language support, whānau or aiga involvement, and how the service works with your preferences. Availability varies by provider and region.

Do Pacific wellbeing services require a referral?

Health New Zealand describes its Pacific Access and Choice services as free, without a referral requirement. That does not necessarily apply to every other mental-health provider. Check each service's details.

What if the first number is unavailable?

Use Health New Zealand's official regional crisis-team list for updated contacts. In immediate danger call 111 or seek emergency-department care; for health guidance call Healthline 0800 611 116.