
Waitaha Youth Services Directory
Rerenga Awa (the youth workers collective of Waitaha) is proud to host this directory of organisations that support young people in a whole range of ways.
This directory is for young people, parents, care givers and organisations who are keen to find out what organisations are out there supporting young people across Waitaha – Canterbury.
We would love to build on this list and make it even more comprehensive so if your organisations details need updating, or you would like to add an organisation to the directory please get in touch.

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180 Degrees
180 Degrees Trust is a charitable trust established in 2007 to improve outcomes for at-risk young people across Canterbury. It supports rangatahi through individualised learning programmes, one-on-one mentoring, and outdoor-based experiences that build personal growth, motivation, and empower them to make better decisions.
Referral may apply
24-7 YouthWork
24-7 YouthWork exists to see young people thrive by placing trained youth workers in local high schools through partnerships between schools and churches. Youth workers provide encouragement, guidance, and practical support in school while also being actively involved in the wider community through church youth groups
Referral may apply
Adventure Development Counselling
Adventure Development Counselling (ADC) is a longer term program that offers young people aged 13-19 who need more intensive help with mental health or alcohol and drug concerns. The programme uses counselling, activity and outdoor experiences, including day activities and multi-day journeys, to build skills for managing difficult times and strengthening wellbeing, including marae-based cultural identity therapy.
Referral may apply
Adventure Specialties Trust - Christchurch
Adventure Specialties Trust supports people on a journey to conquering fears, developing confidence, find wellbeing, and becoming the best version of themselves through the Great Outdoors. Its Educational programmes work alongside schools, kura, and tertiary institutions to deliver practical field-based outdoor learning such as rock climbing, kayaking, tramping, and bushcraft. Programmes are aligned with assessments, unit standards, and framework and are delivered by NZOIA-qualified instructors. All programmes focus on hauora/wellbeing and use Te Whare Tapa Whā as the wellbeing framework to include physical, mental, social, spritual, and ecological wellbeing.
No referral required
Alcohol and Drug Helpline
Alcohol Drug Help provides free confidential Information, insight and support on any problem, issue or query people may have about their own or someone else's drinking or drug use. It offers helpline, counselling, referral services to support individuals to make positive changes.
No referral required
Anglican Care Community Development
Anglican Care Canterbury is the social services and social justice arm of the Diocese of Christchurch, supporting people across Canterbury with shelter, food, advice, advocacy, training, and elder care. Anglican Care Canterbury's team collaborates to resource, equip, train and provode networking for all leaders involved in children, youth, young adults, and families ministries. This involves weekly gathering,. term trainings, camps, and events that bring all people together.
No referral required
Ara Institute of Canterbury
Ara is a government-funded institute providing world-class tertiary education that empowers student to build better worlds. Through industry-relevant courses, inspirational mentors and real-world learning, Ara equips students with the skills, experience and qualifications needed to thrive in a fast-changing world.
No referral required
Ara Taiohi
Ara Taiohi is the peak body for youth development in Aotearoa, connecting and supporting over 4000 people who work with young people nationwide. As a Tiriti-based membership organisation, it resources and advocates for the youth development sector and promotes youth work that honours the mana, voice and holistic development of rangatahi so the can contribute to themselves, their whānau and communities.
Referral may apply
Arowhenua Whānau Services
Arowhenua Whānau Services is a Kaupapa Māori health & Servies that delivers free, integrated health, wellbeing, and social services for M?ori and non-Māori living in the Aoraki rohe. Services include youth and adult mental health, youth justice community service, healthy homes, sexual harm and family harm support, and transition from care for rangatahi aged 14-25.
Referral may apply
Ashburton Community Alcohol & Drugs Services (ACADS)
ACADS works across Mid Canterbury to improve mental health and reduce harm caused by alcohol and other drug use. ACADS provides free and confidential services including counselling for adults and young people, support groups, health promotion, Information and advice. They support adults concerned about alcohol or other drug use, and also support youth with mental health concers and Addiction.
No referral required
Aspire Canterbury Organisation
Aspire Canterbury has supported the Christchurch disability and elderly community since 1982, working to enhance the lives of disabled people and those with impairments. It enables community participation and maximum independence through disability support services, accessible Information, and mobility products for purchase or hire.
Referral may apply
Aviva
Aviva supports people of any age, gender, sexuality or experience of violence to not only become safe, but achieve a fulfilling, violence-free life. Aviva is available 24 hours a day, 365 days of the year and provides specialist services to support people to live free from family and sexual violence. It offers individually tailored advice, advocacy and safety planning, 24-hour phone support, sexual violence services, and support to ensure safe accommodation.
No referral required
Avonhead Community Trust (ACT) Holiday Programme
The Holiday Programme is Christian-based programme that provides a safe, fun, relational and welcoming environment for children 5-11. It runs for one week each school holidays and offers variety of activities and experiences, while also developing teenage leaders through a Year 9 leadership track.
No referral required
Avonside House Trust
Avonside provides residential care for people with intellectual disabilities and has been supporting people for over 45 years. Avonside House Trust provides seven homely accommodation sites across Avonside, Riccarton, and Shirley with modern, mobility-friendly facilities. Avonside works closely alongside the poeple they support and their whānau to help them develop living and social skills, achieve goals, and encourage independent living through tailored programmes.
Specialist referral only
Back to Work Employment
Back to Work Employment is a privately owned company established in Christchurch in 1999 that works with both job seekers and employers. They provide free Work and Income employment placement services and ACC vocational rehabilitation services, including 1:1 personal assistance, CV and job application support, interview preparation, job search services, and support when starting work.
Specialist referral only
Barnardos Aotearoa
Barnardos Aotearoa works to make a lasting difference to the lives of tamariki and whānau who need support, especially when times are tough. They provide early learning for children under six, building strong foundations for their future. They also support children and whānau facing family violence, addiction, neglect, or mental health challenges through early intervention, in-home help, and care when home isn't safe.
No referral required
Base Youth Centre Ashburton
Base Youth Centre provides young people in the Ashburton District with a place of belonging, easy access to support, development opportunities and youth-specific health services through Hype Youth Health Centre. The centre offers free youth activities and programmes including life skills, cooking, budgeting, puberty and self-esteem building. Monday to Friday, the social space is open for youth people to meet friends, chill out, cook, eat, enjoy music and activities, with free Wi-Fi and access to online computers
No referral required
BB New Zealand
BB New Zealand strives to nurture values in boys that anchor their lives, their families, their churches, and society. BB understands that boys and young men need movement, competition, and strong personal relationships to grow into responsible, confident, and courageous men who are Christ-led. BB Youth Programmes include Anchor (5-7 years), Adventure (8-10 years), Delta Junior (11-13 years), Delta Senior (14-18 years) and Echo (18-25 years).
No referral required
Belfast Community Network
Belfast Community Network supports the Belfast community through supporting growth, connection and community development, They provide games, events, and connectedness for residents by talking to the community and providing the best they can with the resources available.
No referral required
Big Brothers Big Sisters
Big Brothers Big Sisters mentors help for strong positive relationships that express care, challenges growth, share power and expand possibilities. Through quality training, Big Brothers Big Sisters equips Mentors with the ability to ignite potential and buil resilience in young poeple all over Aotearoa New Zealand. They make professionally supervised mentoring matches between adults and young people approximately 6 to 12 throughout Aotearoa New Zealand.
Referral may apply
Big Brothers Big Sisters North Canterbury
Big Brothers Big Sisters North Canterbury supports young people reach their full potential trhough strong positive relationships that express care, challenge growth, share power and expand possibilities. community-based mentoring gives matches the opportunity to spend time enjoying activities together in their communities for an hour a week. School-based mentoring takes place in local schools, where matches utilise school resources to bake, play games, and take part in activities at the same time each week.
Referral may apply
Blue Light
Blue Light is a charity organisation that delivers and supports youth programmes nationally and has been doing so for over 30 years. Blue Light helps young people develop their potential by providing positive lifestyle alternatives and strategies to avoid becoming an offender or victim of crime.
Referral may apply
Brackenridge
Brackenridge has provided high levels of disability support to people and their families, along with family resilience care and community mentoring to adults and rangatahi in Canterbury. Brackenridge walks alongside people with intellectual disabilities and complec support needs to support them and their whānau to understand their aspirations and help create a My Life My Way plan that identifies the outcomes they are seeking.
No referral required
CAFLink
CAFLink connects children, adolescents, and their families with mental health services in Canterbury. It is a central point of contact for referrals to mental health services and provides an easily identifiable point of entry to services. The referral process includes screening, referral to community agencies, and triage into services. Referrals for outpatient services go to the CAF North and South community and outreach teams.
Specialist referral only
CanTeen Aotearoa
Canteen Aotearoa is the only national charity dedicated to supporting rangatahi aged 12-24 impacted by cancer with free, evidence-based psychosocial services. Canteen is a safe space where rangatahi can connect, share the tough stuff and get a break from cancer. Canteen provides connections with peers, individual support and counselling, therapeutic programmes and camps, specialised online support through Canteen Connect, and leadership skills, development grants and career guidance.
Specialist referral only





























