Health and Wellbeing Resources

If you or someone you know is struggling, we can connect you to resources and support.

• For a list of available Counselling and Mental Health Services, including free and web-based services, click here.

• For support with anxiety, distress or mental wellbeing, you can call or text 1737 to talk with a trained counsellor for free, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

• Short-term mental health support is available through our Social Worker, Heather. She can talk through your needs and direct you to the best place for more support. Heather is available by appointment at the Wānaka Community Hub or in your home if travelling in is difficult for you. Contact us to make an appointment.

Counselling for young people under 18 and their families is currently available thanks to the Daryll Fairbairn Memorial Fund.

Daryll Fairbairn Memorial Fund

• Approved referrals will receive $400 towards counselling sessions to be used with a registered health professional.
• Referrals are limited to one per annum per client.
• Referrals are for negotiated counselling sessions and are valid for 4 months.

Application process:

• To apply for funding, the referrer needs to complete the form here.
• The referral will be discussed with the referral team which may include an ACDT Trustee and the Community Networks/LINK Social Worker.
• An email will be sent to the referrer and the client, confirming whether their referral has been approved.
• The counsellor or service provider emails the invoices directly to Kate Murray at the email address above using the referral number provided on confirmation.

We thank the Daryll Fairbairn Memorial Fund for raising the funds that enable this support.

Health Improvement Practitioners

Health Improvement Practitioners are qualified and registered health professionals with experience in mental health available for free, on-the-day appointments at your medical centre. They can support clients of any age with their mental or physical wellbeing, helping them leave with a plan to start to build-up their wellbeing, or a referral to another service if necessary.

Contact your GP for more information or a referral.

Food for Love

Food for Love is a registered charity whose 80+ volunteers have been caring for members of our community in Wānaka, Hāwea, Luggate and Queensbury since 2016 by cooking and delivering meals to those in need.

Food for Love supplies around 125 free-of-charge meals per week to over 30 nominees, as well as offering school lunches. These nominees can be individuals, couples or families who may be tackling a range of difficulties, including mental or physical illness, family separation, injury, poverty and domestic harm.

Anyone can be nominated for help via their website and each nomination is treated with privacy and respect.

Salvation Army

The Salvation Army offers material welfare through their Wānaka Family Store to those who find themselves in hardship, as well as having a financial mentor and social support worker to support vulnerable community members.

Community Networks can refer you, or you can get in touch with Hannelie Potgieter on 021 225 9590.

Te Hau Toka Southern Lakes Wellbeing Group

Te Hau Toka is focused on improving mental wellbeing and building resilience in our Southern Lakes communities. offer a range of health and wellbeing resources and tips on their website.

They also offer a Connecting Communities Fund to support community-led activities and events across Queenstown, Wānaka, Cromwell and Te Anau/Fiordland that improve mental wellbeing and encourage people to come together and Connect, Be Active, Keep Learning, Take Notice and Give.

Support for seniors

Valuing our seniors and their contribution to our community is important to us. There are several services and support groups in the Upper Clutha for our seniors.

Click here to find out more, or ask at the Community Networks/LINK front desk.