

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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Canterbury Fiji Social Services Trust
Canterbury Fiji Social Services Trust is a non-profit organisation that has been providing various programmes and services to the community since 1996. The Trust provides lifelong opportunities for all Pacific Island members and recognises other ethnic groups who have been participating in the programmes. They provide quality programmes for Pacific Island and other ethnic groups from low-income families with the aim of providing socialisation, cultural awareness, life skills, self-motivation, confidence building and self-esteem in a safe environment.
No referral required
Catholic Youth Team - Christchurch
The Catholic Youth Team assists the Catholic Church in the Diocese of Christchurch to connect with the young people of our Diocese, sharing the Gospel with them and journeying with them; preparing, teaching and empowering them for Mission as Disciples of Jesus Christ.
No referral required
CCS Disability Action
CCS Disability Action is the largest pan-disability support and advocacy organisation in Aotearoa New Zealand. They support people with all types of impairments and have been working alongside disabled people since 1935. They are at the forefront of service provision, advocacy, and Information sharing in the disability sector. They partner with disabled people, their families and wh?nau to enable them to have choice and control in their lives, with a vision to see every disabled person and wh?nau hau? interwoven into the lives of their whānau and community.
Referral may apply
Cholmondeley Children's Centre
Cholmondeley offers wrap-around 24/7 respite care for tamariki aged 5-12, outdoor activities and learning experiences designed to foster wellbeing and resilience. The service also supports whānau in their own homes through the community outreach Awhi Team made up of social workers, youth workers and whānau Ora Navigators. Cholmondeley is an independent charity supported by Government funding and the generous suport of the Canterbury community.
Referral may apply
Christchurch Anglican Diocese
The Anglican Diocese of Christchurch supports churches and communities across the region by providing worship, pastoral care, community services, and programmes that help people grow in faith and wellbeing. To achieve regeneration and revitalisation, we have settled on three priorities: making disciples of Jesus; supporting young people and their families; and strengthening communities. These priorities inform the way we are seeking to grow and develop our Diocese.
No referral required
Christchurch City Council
Christchurch City Council provides local government services for Christchurch, managing community facilities, parks, libraries, infrastructure, transport, housing, environmental services, and community wellbeing programmes while supporting civic planning, local democracy, and city development.
No referral required
Christchurch City Mission
The Christchurch City Mission is a social service agency that positively impacts on the lives of 60,000 people a year through a wide range of services. The Mission helps anyone who needs it regardless of their circumstances and takes on the hardest cases with lose and optimism. Services include a Foodbank, learning and development programmes, emergency accommodation, a residential detox unit, social workers, addiction consellors, budget advisers, and a medical unit.
Referral may apply
Christchurch Methodist Mission
The Christchurch Methodist Mission provides a voice for people who need one, support for those in need and a home to whānau without one. They make a difference in the lives of over 3000 people every year through services that help those in need and enable clients to grow in confidence and become better able to control the directions of their lives, irrespective of age, ethnicity, or religion. Their services include early education, and whānau support, housing and homeless support and youth housing services.
Referral may apply
Christchurch Youth Council
The Christchurch Youth Council is a group of rangatahi volunteers dedicated to advocating for a strong voice in Christchurch. They provode young people with the avenue to have their say and aim to create a community where the youth voice is as valued as all others. They run events where young people can speak their minds and get heard, develop and connect young people and advocate for the interest of young people with outside organisations and decision makers.
No referral required
Circability Trust
Circability delivers classess, workshops and community events for all ages, all abilities and all cultures, using social circus as a tool for developing personal confidence, physical and emotional literacy, and wellbeing, connecting people and sharing joy. They develop inclusion programmes for people with disabilities and enhance creative career employment options for all. Social circus is accessible to everyone and empowers participants to engage, learn, play, laugh, join a group, share their skills, and work as a team, regardless of social boundaries.
No referral required
Citizens Advice Bureau - Youth Tool Kete
Youth Tool Kete is an online resource from Citizens Advice Bureau aimed at young people. It helps them navigate key aspects of life in Aotearoa, offering clear Information and guidance on topics like getting a job, going flatting, buying a car, starting tertiary study, getting ID, budgeting, wellbeing and dealing with problems at work. The site also connects rangatahi to live chat, freephone support or their local CAB for further assistance.
No referral required
City Church
City Church Christchurch is a Christ-centred, welcoming Pentecostal community in the city whose mission is to help people connect, belong, grow in faith and serve others, through Sunday gatherings, small groups, ministries for children and youth, and outreach programmes.
No referral required
Collaborative Trust
The Collaborative Trust works with those who support young people by providing evidence-informed training, community-based research, and evaluation to strengthen healthy youth development in Aotearoa. It ensures rangatahi voices are central by involving young people in research, training, advocacy, and leadership.
Referral may apply
Comcol New Zealand
Comcol provides a free youth coaching service for 16-19 year olds (and 15-24 in some programmes) in the South Island, empowering them into education, training, and work-based learning through intensive one-on-one support, strengths-based courses and wrap-around guidance.
No referral required
Community Development Network Trust
CDN Trust is a Christian-based youth work agency based in Riccarton Community Church and works with young people throughout the Christchurch community, primarily in the Riccarton and Hornby areas. CDN provides programmes and services, including Kids Camp, Big Night Out events, Teen Programmes, and Youth Hangouts.
No referral required
Community Law Canterbury
Community Law Canterbury is a not-for-profit organisation that works to reduce and remove barriers to the law. They provide accessible, quality legal help to people in Canterbury and the West Coast who face barriers in accessing justice. Community Law Canterbury offers a general legal advice service, information services, specialist advice, and education services.
No referral required
Community Wellbeing North Canterbury Trust
The Community Wellbeing North Canterbury Trust provides free social and Wellbeing services for children, youth, adults, and whānau across North Canterbury, including mental health support, social work, parenting programmes, youth Aod support, food assistance, and community services.
Referral may apply
Connected
Connected Canterbury offers free career, training, and employment support services for individuals (including recent migrants and young people) and business support for employers, providing guidance on jobs, apprenticeships, skill development, work-ready pathways, and workforce planning across the Canterbury region.
No referral required
Crossroads Youth With a Future
Crossroads Youth With a Future is an Aranui-based organisation supporting at-risk young people to build positive self-esteem and develop hope for fulfilling futures. Its purpose is to empower rangatahi and their wh?nau by fostering positive attitudes toward themselves and their community. Crossroads delivers the Stay Real life skills programme across local schools, alongside a Drop-In Centre, annual community camp, and ongoing support. For more than 20 years, these services have provided safe spaces, meaningful connection, and guidance for young people throughout their life journey.
No referral required
Department of Corrections - Ara Poutama
The Department of Corrections works with offenders in the community and in prison to make New Zealand a better, safer place by protecting the public from those who can cause harm and reducing re-offending. They manage people in prison and those serving a sentence or order in the community and provide rehabilitation programmes, education and job training to help offenders address their offending and gain skills to lead a crime-free life.
Specialist referral only
Department of Corrections - Community Probation
Community Probation is when someone is released from prison or is serving a community sentence. Offenders must follow standard and sometimes special conditions, including where they can live, how often they report to a probation officer, and what locations or activities they must avoid.
Specialist referral only
Department of Internal Affairs
The Department of Internal Affairs delivers essential government services including passports, citizenship, births/deaths/marriages registration, community funding, public record management, digital identity, censorship compliance, and support for local government and community wellbeing across Aotearoa New Zealand.
No referral required
Diabetes New Zealand
Diabetes New Zealand is a Charitable Trust that represents and supports people living with or affected by diabetes, offering a free helpline nationwide. They provide Brave Bear packs for children aged 4-10 with Type 1 diabetes, including Jerry the Bear and an interactive learning app to help families understand diabetes management. They also run youth and whānau camps in partnership with local Te Whatu Ora teams, offering connection, support networks, and shared learning opportunities for young people and their families.
Self-referral
Drug Arm
Drug-Arm is a Christian charitable trust providing practical help and support to deal with problems associated with drugs and alcohol. Since 1996, they have journeyed with people from all walks of life, helping them feel safe and empowered to face their struggles with substance abuse, make changes, and form strong, positive connections with the community. They provide education to equip communities to support change, support for people making or thinking of making changes, and work holistically with the 'whole' person through counselling, outreach, prison support, reintegration, creative-based support, and work with at-risk youth.
No referral required
Electoral Commission | Te Kaitiaki Take Kōwhiri
The Electoral Commission is responsible for running New Zealand's parliamentary elections and keeping the electoral rolls up to date. It is an independent Crown Entity that administers the Electoral Act 1993. The Commission registers voters, maintains accurate electoral rolls, and educates New Zealanders about enrolling and voting. It supports voters' rights by ensuring voting is secret and maintaining confidence in the electoral system.
Did you know you can enrol when you're 17? On your 18th birthday, we'll then automatically enrol you and you'll be ready to vote. You can enrol online at vote.nz/enrol.
No referral required





























