Bay of Plenty and Lakes region respite options
A ‘respite option’ is any support or service that gives you a break from your caring responsibilities. This can be a break away or a break in your home.
Below is a directory of information on some of the services available in your region that could help you take a break. You can choose the respite options that best suit you and your family. As well as the services listed here, you also have the choice to ask friends or family for help or use other supports or services.
A Needs Assessment and Coordination Service or NASC in your region can help you get funding for respite and find respite options that will work best for you.
We are currently updating the content on this page. To report inaccurate or incorrect information email communications@whaikaha.govt.nz
- NASC
- Overnight respite
- Weekday activities
- Out of school care and early childhood education
- Sporting, social and recreational activities
- Relief carers, support workers and natural supports
NASC: Support Net
- Address: 510 Cameron Rd, Tauranga 3110
- Phone: (07) 571 0093
- Email: SupportNetBOP@bopdhb.govt.nz
- Website: www.bopdhb.govt.nz/services/support-net external URL
Overnight respite
Aged residential care
Overnight respite for adults with disabilities may be available in an aged residential care facility.
Please contact your NASC for more information.
CCS Disability Action (Te Whare Poi Poi)
Overnight respite for children and young people in a dedicated respite house in Hamilton.
Please contact your NASC to find out more.
Community residential houses
Overnight respite for adults with disabilities may be available in an established home for adults with disabilities.
Please contact your NASC to find out more.
Open Home Foundation
Overnight respite for children and young people with host families.
Please ask your NASC for more information.
Spectrum Care
Overnight respite for adults with disabilities.
Please ask your NASC for more information
Te Punanga O Te Rangimarie
Accessible respite accommodation in a rural setting north of Paeroa.
- Address: 742a Maratoto Road, Hikutaia, Paeroa
- Email: info@tepunanga.org.nz
- Website: www.tepunanga.org.nz external URL
Titoki Christian Healing Centre
Open Monday to Friday for adult respite (with your own support) or a relaxing retreat for carers. Located ten minutes from Whakatane.
- Phone: (07) 308 6503
- Email: info@titoki.org.nz
- Website: www.titoki.org.nz external URL
Weekday activities
Arohanui Arts and Education Trust
Arohanui is a Tauranga-based service provider offering community participation and meaningful day activities for people aged 16 years and over with a disability.
- Website: www.arohanuitrust.co.nz external URL
Avalon Aotearoa Charitable Trust
Avalon works alongside people to enhance their knowledge, skills and abilities.
- Address: Avalon Charitable Trust, 102 Eleventh Avenue, Tauranga Central 3110
- Phone: (07) 579 0585
Emerge Aotearoa
Emerge Aotearoa provides a wide range of community-based services, including day activities, employment support, flexible disability support and respite support.
Pou Whakaaro
Activities for adults with disabilities in Whakatane and Kawerau.
Whakatane Office: 1 Bracken Street, Whakatane 3120
- Phone: (07) 308 8170
Kawerau Office: 1E Tamarangi Drive, Kawerau 3127
- Phone: (07) 323 8170
- Website: www.pouwhakaaro.co.nz external URL
Out of school care and early childhood education
Before and after school care, school holiday programmes
A number of organisations provide out-of-school care, which includes before and after school and during the school holidays. Some mainstream services will have experience and skills in supporting children with disabilities.
In-home childcare and early childhood education
Early childhood education (ECE) provides education and care for children before they go to primary school. There are many different types of early childhood education providers, including daycare centres, kindergartens, home-based childcare, kōhanga reo nannies, playcentre and play groups. Find all types of early childhood education in your community from the website below.
Sporting, social and recreational activities
Boccia New Zealand
Boccia New Zealand promotes and supports the sport of boccia among all people with a physical disability throughout New Zealand.
- Website: www.boccia.org.nz external URL
Halberg AllSports
The Halberg Disability Sport Foundation was founded by Olympic champion Sir Murray Halberg in 1963 to enhance the lives of physically disabled New Zealanders by enabling them to participate in sport and recreation.
New Zealand Riding for the Disabled
New Zealand Riding for the Disabled (NZRDA) provides opportunities for anyone with a disability to enjoy safe, stimulating and therapeutic horse riding and horse-related activities.
- Phone: (04) 234 6090
- Email: admin@rda.org.nz
- Website: www.rda.org.nz external URL
Special Olympics
Special Olympics provides year-round sports training and athletic competition in a variety of Olympic-type sports for children and adults with an intellectual disability.
- Phone: (04) 560 0360
- Email: admin@specialolympics.org.nz
- Website: www.specialolympics.org.nz external URL
Sailability
Inclusive sailing programmes that meet the individual needs of the sailor.
- Website: Sailability Tauranga external URL
- More information about inclusive sailing: www.yachtingnz.org.nz/recreational/sailors-with-a-disability external URL
Relief carers, support workers and natural supports
Family Whānau Support
A support worker ‘buddy’ who offers regular respite hours, either at home or in the community.
Please contact your NASC for more information
Geneva Healthcare
Geneva Healthcare can provide flexible options for support.
- Phone: 0800 436 382
- Email: info@genevahealth.com
Teacher aides
Ask local schools if you’re able to advertise to their teacher aide staff for support during the school holidays or for an evening out.
Rockmybaby
Rockmybaby® offer childcare recruitment services.
- Phone: 0800 762 569
- Email: info@rockmybaby.co.nz
- Website: www.rockmybaby.co.nz external URL
MyCare
An online platform where the people willing to help can meet the people needing help. Find and employ support workers and volunteers on a secure website.
- Phone: 09 887 9777
- Email: hello@mycare.co.nz
- Website: www.mycare.co.nz external URL
Neighbourly
An online community to help you connect with people in your community who would like to offer support or care.
- Website: www.neighbourly.co.nz external URL