Accessing Grief Support

Here you’ll find contact information for organisations that offer grief support. This is not an exhaustive list. Contact your local Citizens Advice Bureau to find out what other supports are available in your area.

Remember that this information is here, so you can revisit it when needed. Everyone grieves differently and has different support needs at different times. Support comes in different forms, including in-person, by phone, online, group or one-on-one. Some people look to access support soon after a loss, others, sometime later. Some people never access support outside of their friends and whānau. There is no “one right way” for grief support to look; go with what feels most right for you. Only you know what you most need, at any given time.

Crisis support

If someone is in immediate danger, if there is risk of harm to self or others:

Call 111 (emergency services)

If the risk is not immediate, yet the person is in clear need of mental health support, connect them to their local Mental Health Crisis Team. You can access the local number here.

National support helplines

  • Need to Talk? – Free call or text 1737
    Talk to a trained counsellor anytime.
  • Lifeline Aotearoa – 0800 543 354 / text HELP to 4357
    Confidential support for emotional distress and grief.
  • Suicide Crisis Helpline – 0508 828 865 (0508 TAUTOKO)
    Support for people struggling or in crisis.
  • Youthline – 0800 376 633 / text 234
    Support for rangatahi (youth) with counsellors available.
  • Healthline – 0800 611 116
    Free health advice and referral information.

Grief-specific support
  • Community Providers & GP Referrals – Your GP or local health centre can suggest free or low-cost counselling and local support groups.
  • Grief Centre– Loss and grief counselling, support groups, resources and education for people of all ages and whānau experiencing loss. Visit  https://www.griefcentre.org.nz Phone 09 418 1457, Freephone: 0800 331 333
  • Skylight Trust – Supports young people and whānau through tough times with counselling, resources and group programmes.  https://www.skylight.org.nz  Phone 0800 299 100
  • Grief Support Services, Tauranga – offers subsidised counselling to individuals, children and families/whānau whose lives are affected by grief and loss. Located in Greerton, serving the Western Bay of Plenty region. Visit https://www.griefsupport.org.nz/ Phone 07 578 4480
  • Loss & Grief Centre, Kāpiti – provides support through counselling, groups and companioning to individuals, families and communities impacted by loss and grief. https://lossandgrief.co.nz Phone 027 3557947
  • Loss & Grief Centre, Southland – support for people living with loss and grief. https://www.lossandgriefcentre.com Phone 027 443 8788 or 03 2140393
  • Sands New Zealand – Support and peer network for families after the loss of a baby (including miscarriage, stillbirth and infancy). https://sands.org.nz Phone 0508 726 372

Suicide-loss support
  • Aoake te Rā – Free suicide bereavement therapeutic support available nationwide. Visit www.aoaketera.org.nz  to find out more or self-refer. Phone 0800 000 053
  • Tony’s Place Charitable Trust – Age-appropriate support for children, teens and adults affected by suicide loss. Tony’s Place provides resources, education, and group support programmes including WAVES https://www.tonysplace.org.nz Phone 0224511979
  • WAVES programme – an 8-week group support and education programme for adults impacted by suicide. Visit here to see if Waves is available in your local area, or contact Tony’s Place (listed above) for more information.
  • Suicide-loss Peer Support Groups – Connecting with others who have experienced loss to suicide can be helpful. Peer-led groups exist in regions around Aotearoa; visit here to see if there is a group in your local area.