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West Auckland, Central Auckland, Waikato, Bay of Plenty, Northland > Mental Health & Addictions >

Kia Puāwai

Mental Health Service, Addiction

Today

Description

Kia Puāwai provides a range of evidence-based and culturally informed services to support tamariki, rangatahi, whānau and communities. Through our therapeutic, care, support and mentor services we walk alongside individuals and whānau to help them grow and flourish.

Our Kaupapa | Our Mission

We believe our tamariki, rangatahi and their whānau deserve to thrive.
We draw from te ao Māori and te ao Tauiwi knowledge to strengthen wellbeing, mana and wairua.


While we don't have a physical address for the Central, Lower North & South Island region, you can email us on: info.central.southern@kiapuawai.nz.

Staff

Please visit our website to find out more about our leadership team and key kaimahi.

Ages

Youth / Rangatahi, Child / Tamariki, Adult / Pakeke

How do I access this service?

Referral

Central, Lower North & South Island, email  info.central.southern@kiapuawai.nz

Fees and Charges Categorisation

Free

Hours

Mon – Fri 8:30 AM – 5:00 PM

Public Holidays: Closed Northland Anniversary (27 Jan), Waitangi Day (6 Feb), Good Friday (18 Apr), Easter Sunday (20 Apr), Easter Monday (21 Apr), ANZAC Day (25 Apr), King's Birthday (2 Jun), Matariki (20 Jun), Labour Day (27 Oct).
Christmas: Open 23 Dec — 24 Dec. Closed 25 Dec — 26 Dec. Open 27 Dec. Closed 28 Dec — 29 Dec. Open 30 Dec — 31 Dec. Closed 1 Jan — 2 Jan. Open 3 Jan. Closed 4 Jan — 5 Jan. Open 6 Jan — 10 Jan.

Languages Spoken

English, Māori, Samoan

Programmes

Specialist Care Programme

The Specialist Care Programme (SCP) provides one-to-one foster care for young people with the opportunity to live in a family/whānau setting with specialist caregivers supported by intensive clinical and social work services. This is a national contract operating in Auckland, Waikato, Bay of Plenty, Hawkes Bay and Northland.

Programme Areas

Mental health

Programme Type

Residential support

Regions

Hawke's Bay, South Auckland, East Auckland, North Auckland, West Auckland, Bay of Plenty, Waikato, Central Auckland, Northland

Age Groups

Youth / Rangatahi

Referral Process

All referrals for our care programmes need to be submitted to the regional hubs through Oranga Tamariki (OT).

Who is it for?
Young people aged 11-16 with severe emotional and behavioural problems.

Description

The Specialist Care Programme (SCP) provides one-to-one foster care for young people with the opportunity to live in a family/whānau setting with specialist caregivers supported by intensive clinical and social work services. 

This is a national contract operating in Auckland, Waikato, Bay of Plenty, Hawkes Bay and Northland.

Short-stay Group Home - Lighthouse

The Lighthouse provides two intensely supervised non-secure group homes in Auckland - one for males and one for females. This is a short-term five-day alternative to police secure facilities or unplanned, inappropriate placements. During the rangatahi’s stay, the emphasis is on engagement, settlement and successful longer-term placement.

Programme Areas

Mental health

Programme Type

Residential support

Regions

South Auckland, East Auckland, North Auckland, West Auckland, Central Auckland

Age Groups

Youth / Rangatahi

Referral Process

Who is it for?
Rangatahi aged 14-16 years old under Oranga Tamariki or Police care, may involve the youth justice system and/or concerns ranging from abuse and neglect through to mental health concerns or alcohol and drug issues. 

Description

The Lighthouse provides two intensely supervised non-secure group homes in Auckland - one for males and one for females. This is a short-term five-day alternative to police secure facilities or unplanned, inappropriate placements. During the rangatahi’s stay, the emphasis is on engagement, settlement and successful longer-term placement.

Medium to long-term Group Home - Te Whare Tūmanako O Kia Puāwai

Te Whare Tūmanako O Kia Puāwai provides family-style care for 6-12 months when whānau is no longer an option at the time of referral. The service is for males aged 7-16 with conduct problems who are at risk. We focus on re-engaging young people in education, connecting with whānau/family, and building confidence, while developing pro-social skills to support them to successfully transition into adulthood and reach their goals. The service operates in Tāmaki Makaurau.

Programme Areas

Mental health

Programme Type

Residential support

Regions

South Auckland, East Auckland, North Auckland, West Auckland, Central Auckland

Age Groups

Child / Tamariki, Youth / Rangatahi

Referral Process

Referrals to Te Whare Tūmanako O Kia Puāwai come through Oranga Tamariki hub.

Who is it for?
Tamariki/rangatahi who identify as male aged 7-16 with conduct problems who are at risk.

Description

Te Whare Tūmanako O Kia Puāwai provides family-style care for 6-12 months when whānau is no longer an option at the time of referral. 

The service is for males aged 7-16 with conduct problems who are at risk. We focus on re-engaging young people in education, connecting with whānau/family, and building confidence, while developing pro-social skills to support them to successfully transition into adulthood and reach their goals.

The service operates in Tāmaki Makaurau.

Foster Care

Provide short to medium term respite and planned foster care for children and youth at risk who require out of home whānau placements. Respite Care and Planned Respite Care aim to reduce harm caused by in-patient admissions and to support the preservation of natural families/whānau. This service operates in Waikato and Tauranga.

Programme Areas

Mental health

Programme Type

Residential support

Regions

Bay of Plenty, Waikato

Age Groups

Youth / Rangatahi

Referral Process

Who is it for?
Rangatahi aged 11-17 who are at risk of admission to an in-patient acute mental health unit.

Description

Provide short to medium term respite and planned foster care for children and youth at risk who require out of home whānau placements. Respite Care and Planned Respite Care aim to reduce harm caused by in-patient admissions and to support the preservation of natural families/whānau. 

This service operates in Waikato and Tauranga.

Youth Service West

Youth Service West works with young people and young parents to find the best options for education, training or work-based learning that will help them build their skills and find suitable employment. We work alongside young people, as their personal advisors, giving them the support they need to achieve qualifications (including NCEA Level 2), and support them towards achieving financial independence.

Programme Areas

Mental health

Programme Type

Supported employment

Regions

West Auckland

Age Groups

Youth / Rangatahi

Referral Process

Who is our service for?
This service works with two specific groups of young people:

  • Rangatahi aged 16-17 who are not in education, training or work-based learning to support them into employment, training and/or education.
  • Rangatahi aged 16-18 and young parents aged 16-19 who are receiving government financial assistance to assist them in meeting their obligations for receiving support.   

Find out more about Youth Service West here or click here for an agency referral form.

Youth Service West contact details are:
Free phone: 0800 WEST UP - 0800 937 887
Email: youthservice@kiapuawai.nz

Description

Youth Service West works with young people and young parents to find the best options for education, training or work-based learning that will help them build their skills and find suitable employment. 

We work alongside young people, as their personal advisors, giving them the support they need to achieve qualifications (including NCEA Level 2), and support them towards achieving financial independence. 

Ka Awatea

Ka Awatea, meaning ‘The Dawning of a New Era’, provides support to rangatahi as they transition from state care to adulthood. Each young person is allocated a Kai Atawhai (Personal Advisor) who can work with the young person over several years and model positive social behaviour and empower the young person to make their own informed decisions about employment, training, accommodation and developing positive social peer groups. Ideally, planning starts with the Kai Atawhai engaging the young person from the age of 15. When the young person turns 17 prior to discharge from the care of Oranga Tamariki, a planning meeting is held to determine what happens next. Following this meeting Ka Awatea may become the lead agency in supporting the young person to live more independently and safely in the community through to the age of 21. This service operates in Tāmaki Makaurau. Find out more about Ka Awatea on our site.

Programme Areas

Mental health

Programme Type

Community based support - mental health

Regions

South Auckland, East Auckland, North Auckland, West Auckland, Central Auckland

Age Groups

Youth / Rangatahi

Referral Process

Who is our service for?
Ka Awatea is a voluntary service for rangatahi aged 15 to 21 with complex needs who have been in the care of Oranga Tamariki and who are transitioning to adulthood.

Description

Ka Awatea, meaning ‘The Dawning of a New Era’, provides support to rangatahi as they transition from state care to adulthood.

Each young person is allocated a Kai Atawhai (Personal Advisor) who can work with the young person over several years and model positive social behaviour and empower the young person to make their own informed decisions about employment, training, accommodation and developing positive social peer groups.

Ideally, planning starts with the Kai Atawhai engaging the young person from the age of 15. When the young person turns 17 prior to discharge from the care of Oranga Tamariki, a planning meeting is held to determine what happens next. Following this meeting Ka Awatea may become the lead agency in supporting the young person to live more independently and safely in the community through to the age of 21.

This service operates in Tāmaki Makaurau. Find out more about Ka Awatea on our site.

Functional Family Therapy (FFT)

Functional Family Therapy (FFT) works with whānau facing significant challenges and is built on a foundation of acceptance and respect. It aims to help whānau collectively understand their interactions and behaviour to improve communication and conflict-management skills, and address risks while strengthening protective factors. FFT practitioners provide a family intervention of approximately 3-6 months, typically for one hour per week, with young people and their family/whānau. These young people and their family/whānau have been identified as needing family therapy for conduct problems or other behavioural or mental health concerns by Oranga Tamariki. In the Bay of Plenty and Waikato regions, FFT can also be accessed via the Child and Adolescent Mental Health Service (CAMHS). This evidence-based therapeutic intervention is delivered in the home environment. This service operates in Northland, Auckland, Waikato, Taranaki, Rotorua, Taupō, Bay of Plenty, Whanganui, Palmerston North, Napier, and the Lower South Island. Find out more about FFT, including how to refer, here.

Programme Areas

Mental health

Programme Type

Peer / advocacy / group / family whānau support

Regions

Hawke's Bay, MidCentral, South Auckland, East Auckland, Central Lakes, Southland, West Auckland, Dunedin - South Otago, Waikato, Central Auckland, Taranaki, Northland, Waitaki, Lakes, North Auckland, Bay of Plenty, Whanganui

Age Groups

Child / Tamariki, Youth / Rangatahi

Referral Process

Who is it for?
Tamariki and rangatahi aged 10-17 who have significant behavioural challenges and/or mental health problems.

Description

Functional Family Therapy (FFT) works with whānau facing significant challenges and is built on a foundation of acceptance and respect. It aims to help whānau collectively understand their interactions and behaviour to improve communication and conflict-management skills, and address risks while strengthening protective factors. 

FFT practitioners provide a family intervention of approximately 3-6 months, typically for one hour per week, with young people and their family/whānau. These young people and their family/whānau have been identified as needing family therapy for conduct problems or other behavioural or mental health concerns by Oranga Tamariki. In the Bay of Plenty and Waikato regions, FFT can also be accessed via the Child and Adolescent Mental Health Service (CAMHS).

This evidence-based therapeutic intervention is delivered in the home environment. 

This service operates in Northland, Auckland, Waikato, Taranaki, Rotorua, Taupō, Bay of Plenty, Whanganui, Palmerston North, Napier, and the Lower South Island. 

Find out more about FFT, including how to refer, here.

Multi-Systemic Therapy (MST)

A short-term (average of five months) intensive strengths-based programme for whānau in Tamaki Makaurau. MST helps whānau understand the multiple causes of challenging and high-risk rangatahi behaviours and address these risk factors by working with the systems around the rangatahi in order to help whānau stay safely together. This is a crisis responsive service that operates 24/7. Visit our site to find out more about MST and how to refer.

Programme Areas

Mental health

Programme Type

Peer / advocacy / group / family whānau support

Regions

South Auckland, East Auckland, North Auckland, West Auckland, Central Auckland

Age Groups

Child / Tamariki, Youth / Rangatahi

Referral Process

Who is it for?
Tamariki/rangatahi aged 10-16 who have significant behavioural problems and their whānau.

Description

A short-term (average of five months) intensive strengths-based programme for whānau in Tamaki Makaurau. MST helps whānau understand the multiple causes of challenging and high-risk rangatahi behaviours and address these risk factors by working with the systems around the rangatahi in order to help whānau stay safely together.

This is a crisis responsive service that operates 24/7.

Visit our site to find out more about MST and how to refer.

DHB Funded Intensive Clinical Services (ICS)

Intensive Clinical Services (ICS) utilises Functional Family Therapy (FFT) and interventions such as Triple P for younger children (Bay of Plenty only), to work with young people and their whānau who have been identified as needing family therapy for conduct problems or other behavioural or mental health concerns by the local Child and Adolescent Mental Health Service (CAMHS). This service operates in Waikato and the Bay of Plenty.

Programme Areas

Mental health

Programme Type

Peer / advocacy / group / family whānau support

Regions

Bay of Plenty, Waikato

Age Groups

Child / Tamariki, Youth / Rangatahi

Referral Process

Who is it for?
Tamariki and rangatahi aged 10-17 who have significant behavioural challenges and/or mental health problems.

Description

Intensive Clinical Services (ICS) utilises Functional Family Therapy (FFT) and interventions such as Triple P for younger children (Bay of Plenty only), to work with young people and their whānau who have been identified as needing family therapy for conduct problems or other behavioural or mental health concerns by the local Child and Adolescent Mental Health Service (CAMHS).

This service operates in Waikato and the Bay of Plenty.

First Care

First Care is a primary mental health early intervention for tamariki, rangatahi and their whānau. It incorporates Incredible Years, Triple P (2 levels), and trauma-informed Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) as options to meet individual needs. The intervention supports parents and whānau and aims to keep tamariki living safely at home with whānau. Incredible Years is a service in which parents and tamariki learn strategies with and from other parents in a group. Through First Care, we offer this service, on a case by case basis, at the whānau home in order to reach out to families for whom group attendance is challenging. Who is it for? Families with children aged 2-12 Triple P (Positive Parenting Programme) offers clear and simple strategies to turn problems around and to prevent new problems from developing. Who is it for? Whānau with tamariki/rangatahi aged 0-16 years. Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) is a trauma-informed individual intervention. Who is it for? Tamariki and rangatahi referred by Gateway health and education assessments via Oranga Tamariki. This service operates in Auckland, Capital Coast, Hutt Valley, Wairarapa, and Bay of Plenty. Find out about our First Care services here.

Programme Areas

Mental health

Programme Type

Peer / advocacy / group / family whānau support

Regions

South Auckland, East Auckland, Wellington, North Auckland, West Auckland, Hutt, Bay of Plenty, Central Auckland, Wairarapa

Age Groups

Child / Tamariki, Youth / Rangatahi

Referral Process

Referrals are predominantly made through Oranga Tamariki as well as via the Gateways assessment for whānau with issues that are likely to escalate but do not meet the criteria for access to specialist mental health services. The intervention supports parents and whānau and ensures that tamariki can maintain stability in their living arrangements.

Description

First Care is a primary mental health early intervention for tamariki, rangatahi and their whānau. It incorporates Incredible Years, Triple P (2 levels), and trauma-informed Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) as options to meet individual needs. The intervention supports parents and whānau and aims to keep tamariki living safely at home with whānau.

  • Incredible Years is a service in which parents and tamariki learn strategies with and from other parents in a group. Through First Care, we offer this service, on a case by case basis, at the whānau home in order to reach out to families for whom group attendance is challenging.
    Who is it for?
    Families with children aged 2-12
  • Triple P (Positive Parenting Programme) offers clear and simple strategies to turn problems around and to prevent new problems from developing.
    Who is it for?
    Whānau with tamariki/rangatahi aged 0-16 years.

  • Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) is a trauma-informed individual intervention.
    Who is it for?
    Tamariki and rangatahi referred by Gateway health and education assessments via Oranga Tamariki.

This service operates in Auckland, Capital Coast, Hutt Valley, Wairarapa, and Bay of Plenty.

Find out about our First Care services here.

Pae Whakatupuranga | Functional Family Therapy - Cross Generations (FFT-CG)

The Pae Whakatupuranga FFT-CG team supports whānau to reduce their involvement with the New Zealand justice system. It’s designed for tamariki and rangatahi aged 10-24 years and their whānau. Our highly trained practitioners meet with whānau in their homes or other convenient locations and work with them to: Reduce the risk of intergenerational involvement in the justice system. Strengthen whānau relationships. Improve the way family members interact and communicate with each other. Improve whānau wellbeing by reducing aggression and conflict in the home. Help rangatahi stay in the home or transition successfully to independent living. Help tamariki/rangatahi either stay in or return to school, training or employment.

Programme Areas

Mental health, Addictions - drug & alcohol, Kaupapa Māori, Pacific People

Programme Type

Community / social support (AOD), Pacific People (AOD), Coexisting problems – mental health & addictions, Peer / advocacy / group / family whānau support, Non-acute specialist mental health community services, Kaupapa Māori - mental health, Pacific People - mental health, Training - mental health

Regions

South Auckland, East Auckland, North Auckland, West Auckland, Central Auckland

Age Groups

Child / Tamariki, Youth / Rangatahi, Adult / Pakeke

Referral Types

Corrections

Referral Process

The intervention is available for whānau in greater Auckland, including Franklin to the south, Waiheke Island, and Wellsford to the north.

Youth Justice: Oranga Tamariki South Auckland Referrals are made by the South Auckland Oranga Tamariki Youth Justice sites at Ōtara, Ōtāhuhu, Manurewa, and Papakura for tamariki/rangatahi aged 10-17 years who are living at home or returning home following a period in residential care. 

Corrections: Referrals are made by Auckland Region Women’s Corrections Facility and Community Corrections offices at Franklin, Manukau, Māngere, Manurewa, Ōtara and Papakura for young people aged 18-24 years who are on a community sentence or on probation.

Police: Referrals are made by Auckland City and Waitemata Districts for tamariki/rangatahi aged 10-17 years where police wish to stop progression through the justice system.

Description

The Pae Whakatupuranga FFT-CG team supports whānau to reduce their involvement with the New Zealand justice system. It’s designed for tamariki and rangatahi aged 10-24 years and their whānau. Our highly trained practitioners meet with whānau in their homes or other convenient locations and work with them to:

  • Reduce the risk of intergenerational involvement in the justice system.
  • Strengthen whānau relationships.
  • Improve the way family members interact and communicate with each other.
  • Improve whānau wellbeing by reducing aggression and conflict in the home.
  • Help rangatahi stay in the home or transition successfully to independent living.
  • Help tamariki/rangatahi either stay in or return to school, training or employment. 

Additional Details

Face to face / Kanohi ki te Kanohi, Phone, LGBTQIA+ friendly

Contact Details

This page was last updated at 12:22PM on November 20, 2024. This information is reviewed and edited by Kia Puāwai.