Taha Whānau
Family & Social Wellbeing
Taha whānau is about who makes you feel like you belong and who you share your life with. Whānau provides us with the strength to be who we are.
Find information about:
Family Support
We provide specialised youth/rangatahi support services by working with young people and their whānau. Our Social Services division has after school programmes, holiday programmes, junior/youth sports, Te reo Māori class, alternative education, a youth worker, psychologist mentor and so much more.
Contact Details:
(06) 358 0504
155 Highbury Ave, Palmerston North
Website:
Cost: Free
We work with families, agencies and local partners to provide education and access to interventions which will create warm, dry and healthy homes.
Contact Details:
0800 815 799
Website: tewhatuora.govt.nz/health-services-and-programmes/healthy-homes
Cost: Free (eligibility criteria)
We provide FREE information, support and advice for all tenancy questions and issues. Our goals are: to support the welfare of tenants of the Manawatū region; to advise, assist and generally support tenants in their dealings with landlords; to empower tenants to act in their own best interests in regard to their accommodation needs; to educate the community on the rights and obligations of tenants and landlords; and to network with other government and community agencies.
Contact Details:
(06) 357 7435
77 King Street, Palmerston North
Website:
Cost: Free
The Butterfly Compassion Community is here to help. Simply put, we care and we want our community to be healthy and happy. We understand, support and work alongside the incredible existing services in our community such as Women’s Refuge, MENZshed, the police, hospital, local kindergartens and other education and health services to offer complementary, caring services. These include, but are not limited to coordinating play-based gift bags for vulnerable families in the region, care packages for children in hospital and making blankets for the elderly. All our initiatives have a strong sustainability and repurposing focus to care for our planet as well as our people.
Contact Details:
027 602 8719
Currently based out of Latitude Homes, 262 Rangitikei Street Palmerston North
Website:
Cost: Free
Children's clothing for under 5s. Swap the sizes you no longer need for sizes you do need, or a koha/donation for a bag. Tuesdays, Wednesdays & Thursdays, 10am-11.30am (school term only). Drop in during any of the sessions. Run out of the garage behind the Family Centre building, down the driveway.
Contact Details:
027 211 9806
42 Albert Street, Plunket Rooms
Website:
Cost: Free
We are a community based social service that supports the Tararua district. We provide social work, counselling and whānau support, to help people take positive action in their lives. We offer individual counselling, social work support, support workers, maternity kaiāwhina, group programmes, kai support and community events.
Contact Details:
(06) 376 7608
43 Main Street, Pahiatua
Website:
Cost: Free
We match people looking for volunteer opportunities with organisations that need volunteers.
Contact Details:
(06) 3546027
Hancock Community House, 77 King Street, Palmerston North
Website:
vounteercentral.nz
Cost: Free
We match people looking for volunteer opportunities with organisations that need volunteers.
Contact Details:
022 027 9774
Te Takeretanga o Kura-hau-pō (Te Takere) 10 Bath Street, Levin
Website:
Cost: Free
To support, nurture and grow community wellbeing in the Horowhenua. The Community Hub is both a venue to hire and a base for community services.
Contact Details:
(06) 368 1195
32 Bristol Street, Levin, 5510
Website:
Cost: Free
Te Takeretanga o Kura-hau-pō is Horowhenua's library, culture and community centre in Levin. Relevant, convenient and welcoming it is a safe, supervised and all-inclusive family/whanau destination, providing quality activities and opportunities for all.
Contact Details:
06 368 1953
Website:
Cost: Free
Strengthening Families provides a way for families to get coordinated access to services – the aim is to offer help before a whānau or family has serious problems requiring intensive or statutory intervention.
Contact Details:
(06) 356 7486
021 237 9764
294A Church Street West, Palmerston North 4410
Website: strengtheningfamilies.govt.nz/contact-us/lower-north-island-east-2
Cost: Free
Run by The City Mission, Palmerston North. Two courses are run on a Monday - 10am to 12pm and 1pm to 3pm. Held at St Oswalds, Cnr Featherson St and Kingswood St, Palmerston North. Courses are run over two terms (20 weeks) and involve music & movement, rhymes, books and a variety of play experiences> Topics discusses may include sleeping & crying, establishing attachment, brain development, expressing myself, treasure baskets, physical development and being with others.
Contact:
Email: space@citymission.co.nz
Cost: Paid (CSC rates available)
Our one on one mentoring service uses volunteer mentors who go into the home (or sometimes a neutral space) once a week and share their knowledge and skills. Each session is goal based and tailored for individual circumstances. This is hugely rewarding for everyone involved. Some of the skills we share include planning and preparing healthy budget meals, sewing, knitting, vegetable gardening, home management and support of parenting skills. If you're not sure if the skill you or your client want to learn is covered or if you want to make a referral, contact us by email.
Contact Details:
(06) 354 3804
022 583 2994
Level two, 74 The Square, Palmerston North
admin@sgmanawatu.org.nz
Website:
Cost: Free or low cost
We have one on one meetings to help people sort out debits, financial crisis etc. We are able to advocate with WINZ, IRD and creditors. Group meetings are help to discuss financial issues.
Contact Details:
0800 368 6924
32 Bristol Street, Levin 5510
Website:
Cost: Free
Playgroups and Toy Libraries
Tuesdays and Thursday mornings (9.30-11.30am) during school term time.
We offer a friendly, welcoming parent-run playgroup with lots of engaging, educational and fun activities and play-based learning for children from birth - 5 years! The cost is just $2 koha per child per visit ($4 per child for children attending with a Homebased Carer), which includes a yummy hot drink for their caregiver!
Contact Details:
5 Baring Street, Bunnythorpe
Website: facebook.com/LittleBunnysPlaygroup
Cost: Paid
Parents Circle is a free support group for parents, whanau and their babies/toddlers. Breastfeeding support is available, but no matter how you feed your baby/toddler, everyone is welcome. We’ll have a cuppa with cake to share with you. Bring a friend or whanau for support.
Contact Details:
022 528 2466
St Paul Church Hall, Church Street, Feilding
Website:
Cost: Free
Manawatu Multiples is a non-profit organization run by volunteer parents of multiples. We cover the Manawatu/Whanganui region although the majority of our events are held in Palmerston North. We support parents and caregivers of multiples. Membership – pregnancy to 23 months – $30, 2-4 years – $25, 5+ years – $10.
Contact Details:
Website:
Cost: Paid
Welcome to our sensory play programme. Either play in our tent with the lightboard OR we will have the duplo out, walk or jump on our squish colour mats, look at our star display, make the gears turn and more!
Contact Details:
(06) 351 4100
Palmerston North Library, 4 The Square, Palmerston North
Website:
Cost: Free
Join us for a fun session designed for baby's brain development through nursery rhymes, activities, songs and HAVING FUN! Stay, chat, get a library card, and borrow books specific for your baby.
Contact Details:
(06) 351 4100
Palmerston North Library, 4 The Square, Palmerston North
Website:
Cost: Free
Join in the fun with Splash Time every week! Splash Time is a play session designed for babies, toddlers and pre-schoolers with loads of toys, equipment, bubbles and music. Along with an experienced instructor to answer any water safety related questions. Play is the focus, fun is the goal.
Contact Details:
(06) 357 2684
Lido Aquatic Centre, 50 Park Road, Palmerston North
Website:
Cost: Paid
Join us at Pou Matua Rōpū, our Parent Support Group on Fridays at Barnardos Bumps to Babies! A relaxed space to meet other parents, find support and build connections.
Running weekly, explore topics like: Feeding your pēpi, sleep, settling, postnatal emotions and recovery, and anything else we can help with in your parenting! Lactation support available and refreshments provided. Fridays 10am - 12noon
Contact Details:
0508 247 8433
117 Ruahine Street, Palmerston North
Website:
Cost: Free
Drop-in sessions with a focus on play for under-5s, and social connection for parents. Free, but koha/donation is welcome. Hot drinks provided for parents. Parents are to bring snacks and a drink for the child/ren.
Contact Details:
0800 184 803
42 Albert Street, Plunket Rooms
Website:
Cost: Free
We provide a toy lending service at a minimal cost to families, carers and educators in Palmerston North and the Manawatu. We have 1800+ good quality toys and play equipment which are chosen for children to develop their gross and fine motor skills, cognitive learning and imaginative play. We are an environmentally-friendly, money-saving, community-building way to make sure you always have new and engaging toys for your whānau. We are open for 3 sessions per week - Monday, Thursday and Saturdays from 9.30am-12.30pm. No need to book in to visit us, just come on down and meet our friendly staff and volunteers!
Contact Details:
027 364 6911
200 Church Street, Palmerston North
Website:
Cost: Paid
Welcome to the Pahiatua Toy Library. We are situated alongside St Peters Anglican Church in Albert Street, Pahiatua. We are run by volunteers and have wonderful support from the local community as well as the Toy Library Federation of NZ. Using a toy library means you: reduce plastic use, landfill and storage space, have age appropriate toys every two weeks, save money, meet new people and help children learn responsibility.
Contact Details:
18 Albert Street, Pahiatua
Website:
Cost: Paid
We run a relaxed playgroup where parents and carers can meet, have a coffee and let our children play & learn together. Wednesday 9.30am-11.30am during school term time at the Kumeroa Hall.
Contact Details:
Township Road &, School Road, Kumeroa 4997
Website: facebook.com/groups/677059815660176/
Cost: Paid
We run a relaxed playgroup where parents and carers can meet, have a coffee and let our children play & learn together. Wednesday 9am-12pm and Thursday 9am-12pm during school term time.
Contact Details:
Room 4, Eketahuna school
Website: facebook.com/EketahunaPlaygroup
Cost: Paid
Welcome to the Mangamaire playgroup! Our playgroup runs from 9.30am-11.30am every Tuesday during school term at the Mangamaire Hall 192 Tutaekara Road.
Contact Details:
192 Tutaekara Road, Mangamaire
Website: facebook.com/groups/626509076280277
Cost: Paid
Pahiatua Playgroup is based at St Peters Anglican Church in Albert Street. We welcome you each Monday 9.30am-11.30am during school term time. A gold coin donation is appreciated.
Contact Details:
18 Albert Street, Pahiatua
Website: facebook.com/pahiatuaplaygroup
Cost: Paid
sKids has been providing fun, affordable, award winning Holiday Programmes/Before/After School Care in New Zealand for over 25 years! Locations in Feilding & Levin
Website: skids.co.nz/locations
Cost: Paid
Playcentre is a nationwide charity with over 400 centres located throughout the country. At each centre you will find a supportive, fun and friendly environment for you and your child. You dont just watch your child grow. You grow with them. Whether you have a new baby, or you are new to a community, Playcentre provides a place for babies, young children and parents to come together. Members enjoy a strong sense of belonging, and friendships flourish.
Website: playcentre.org.nz/find-your-centre
Join a group – mainly music and mainly play New Zealand
Providing free transport to Health and Social Services for Highbury residents.
Free community phone available
Community worker who offers peer support, advice, information and referrals to the right services.
Contact:
42 Pembroke Street, Highbury, Palmerston North 4412, New Zealand
020 4020 8854 kaimahihapori@tewharekoha.org