Domestic and family violence
Services and support for anyone experiencing abuse from a partner, ex-partner, family member, flatmate, friend, or carer.
How these services can help
Family violence support services can:
- provide emotional support
- help you understand your situation
- provide information and options
- help connect you to local services you might need.
They could also help you:
- apply for a protection order or other legal orders
- withdraw early from a rental contract due to family violence
- request family violence leave or flexible working from your employer
- seek emergency and other benefits from Work and Income.
Phone support
The following phone services are free and available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week:
- Women’s Refuge crisis line — 0800 733 843
- Shine helpline — 0508 744 633
- Are You OK helpline — 0800 456 450
- Shakti multi-lingual crisis-line — 0800 742 584
- Safe to talk — sexual harm helpline — 0800 044 334 or text 4334
If you need help using assistive technology to use any of the phone services see NZ Relay service.
For more information on the above services, see Family violence specialist services — Ministry of Justice.
Online support
The following online services are free and available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
Live chat
- Are You OK — click ‘Get help now’, then ‘Open Chat Now’ at the bottom right of the website.
- Shine — click the ‘Webchat’ button at the bottom right of the website.
- Shielded Site — click the
button at the bottom right of this website. Click ‘Enter’, then ‘Getting Help’, then ‘Live Chat’.
More about the Shielded Site service
You can ask for help online through the Women’s Refuge Shielded Site service — available on popular New Zealand websites.
The service is private and will not show up in your browser history, so you can get help without anyone finding out.
- Go to a website that offers the service. Many are listed on the Shielded Site homepage.
- Click on the Shielded Site logo, usually at the bottom of the website:
- You can ask the Women’s Refuge for help, make a plan to leave and learn how to stay safe online.
Online forms or email
The following contact options may not be monitored regularly. Phone or live chat is recommended.
In-person support
The following websites can help you find free local or in-person support.
- Service finder — Are You OK
- Family Violence — Family Services Directory
- Find your local refuge — Women’s Refuge
- Our locations — Shakti
Local family violence services may be able to:
- help with meeting basic needs
- support your safety and wellbeing
- provide temporary safe housing
- assist you to relocate and/or find safe, suitable permanent accommodation
- provide services for children who’ve experienced family violence.
Other support options
Apply for permanent protection
Protection from someone close to you
A protection order gives you protection against someone you have a close relationship with, like:
- a partner or ex
- a member of your family
- someone who lives with you
- a carer
- a close friend.
A protection order means an abuser can be arrested if they hurt, threaten or even approach you or your children.
Protection from someone you don’t have a relationship with
Apply for a restraining order if you’re being harassed by someone you do not have a close relationship with. A restraining order legally prevents that person from contacting you.
Protection if you’ve been a victim of a violent crime
You can apply for a non-contact order if you were the victim of a violent crime that led to the offender being sent to prison for more than 2 years. A non-contact order legally prevents the offender from contacting you.
Paid domestic violence leave
If you, or a child in your care, are affected by domestic violence, you can ask your employer for paid domestic violence leave and flexible working arrangements.
Leaving a rental contract
With the right evidence and approval, you or a dependant in your care who experience family violence during a tenancy can remove yourselves from the tenancy.
Withdrawal from a tenancy following family violence — Tenancy Services
Free family violence programmes
Safety programmes are for those who have experienced family violence. They can help you access extra support, deepen your understanding and find options available to you.
If you’re worried about your own behaviour
If you have used or feel at risk of using family violence, contact the support services on this page.
The following online resources may also be of help.
Help for people worried they are frightening or hurting others — Are You OK
Who to contact for more help
If you need more help or have questions about the information or services on this page, contact one of the following agencies.
-
Ministry of Justice
Contact and agency details -
New Zealand Police
Contact and agency details