COVID-19: Help and support

If you are feeling unwell, please stay at home.

If you think you have COVID-19 symptoms, call the dedicated COVID-19 Healthline number 0800 358 5453 or your local doctor.

For any other health concerns, call the general Healthline number 0800 611 116 or contact your local doctor. All calls to Healthline are free and someone will answer your call 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. More information on the COVID-19 website.

For support with anxiety, distress or mental wellbeing, call or text 1737 to talk with a trained counsellor for free, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

Check out the Ministry of Health’s wellbeing tips to help you feel good and get through.

Visit allright.org.nz, depression.org.nz or New Zealand Red Cross for more wellbeing tips on looking after yourself and others.

Ground yourself with Sir John Kirwan’s app Mentemia – a mental wellbeing coach free to all New Zealanders.

If you’re struggling to afford food, get in touch with one of these social sector organisations.

Tauranga Community Foodbank
Supports families and people in need in the Tauranga area, in the form of food parcels.
Hours: Monday to Friday, 9:30am–2pm
Location: 4G Brook St, Parkvale
Phone: 07 578 9888
Email: tgafoodbank@xtra.co.nz

Salvation Army
Provides a range of services to those in need including food parcels.
Hours: Drop in Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays 9am–12noon
Location: 375 Cameron Road
Phone: 07 578 4264
Email: tauranga_cm@nzf.salvationarmy.org

If you need to self-isolate and can’t do it in your own home or you are a traveller visiting New Zealand and don’t have suitable accommodation, the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment can help. Register with them by calling 0508 754 163.

If you have nowhere to stay right now, you can call Work and Income on 0800 559 009 to apply for emergency housing.

If you’re struggling to afford food, pay rent or other bills because you no longer have an income you may be able to apply for the Government’s COVID-19 Wage Subsidy.

If you work for an employer, then you’ll need to get in touch with them directly.

Work and Income service centres
Greerton: 2 Tebbs Lane (off Courtney Road), Gate Pa
Mount Maunganui: 9 Owens Place, Bayfair
Tauranga: Corner Durham Street and Spring Street
Hours: Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday, 8.30am–5pm, Wednesday 9:30am–5pm
Phone: 0800 559 009
Email: onlinesupport@workandincome.govt.nz

Although you may receive a call from your local council or the Ministry for Social Development, they will never ask for payment or for your card details, including for a test. If you have received a call from any organisation requesting your card details that you did not expect or request, please report this to us by calling the Tauranga City Council contact centre on 07 577 7000.

Stay up-to-date by keeping an eye on the news for updates and advice or visit www.covid19.govt.nz

Key telephone numbers

Freedom Companion Drivers: 07 575 6324
Elder Abuse helpline: 0800 32 668 65
MSD Senior Services: 0800 552 002
Age Concern Tauranga: 07 578 2631
Free government helpline: 0800 779 997
Citizens Advice Bureau: 0800 367 222
Alzheimers Tauranga/WBOP: 07 577 6344

Supporting youth

Confidential help for young people in Tauranga Moana, check out It’s all good to ask for help – Teen Tools.

Supporting migrants

• Contact your embassy or consulate for support
• Visit the Immigration NZ website for further information 

Help is available for foreign nationals who are experiencing serious financial hardship due to COVID-19. If you have a temporary visa and cannot support yourself or return home, you may be eligible for an emergency benefit. You can apply for the emergency benefit from 1 December 2020 to 28 February 2021. Visit Work and Income NZ to find out more.

If you're not sure what help is available or don't know who to contact for help, call the free government helpline on 0800 779 999.