Legal Support
The information on this website is intended to give you some basic facts about your legal rights in various situations. If you think you’re being discriminated against and would like further legal support, the following organisations are here to help:
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YouthLaw – provides free legal help for people under 25 regarding a range of legal issues, including employment issues. For more information, see www.youthlaw.co.nz, or contact YouthLaw on 0800 884 529 or nzyouthlaw@gmail.com. |
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Community Law Centres - these centres provide legal information and education, legal advice, assistance and representation- particularly for people who can’t afford to pay for legal services. There are 24 Community Law Centres throughout Aotearoa New Zealand. Most Community Law Centres operate outreach services or clinics in small communities. You can contact your local centre directly to make an enquiry or arrange an appointment: http://communitylaw.org.nz/ |
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Citizens Advice Bureaus The Citizen Advice Bureau is an independent service and available to everyone on any subject matter. Citizens Advice Bureaus provide: information about the law (with some able to provide legal advice), referrals to local community centres. There are 83 Citizens Advice Bureaus throughout Aotearoa New Zealand. Phone: 0800 467 222 Website: http://www.cab.org.nz/ |
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Every Child Has Rights Poster A simple, easy to read break down of the rights of children created by the Children’s Commissioner and UNICEF New Zealand Download |
Other Support
The following organisations can provide additional support to you in particular circumstances.
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Education Council – responsible for investigating and determining complaints regarding the conduct of teachers. For more information, see www.educationcouncil.org.nz, or contact the Council on 04 471 0852. |
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Find Support (ACC) – helping you access ACC-funded support following sexual abuse or assault, in your time, on your terms. Search by therapists for experience working with LGBTI communities. www.findsupport.co.nz |
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Gender Minorities Aotearoa – a cross cultural and 100% trans led organisation which aims to facilitate health and wellbeing for transgender, intersex and takatāpui populations. Contact GMA at: www.genderminorities.com |
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Health and Disability Commissioner – provides information and assistance in relation to making complaints about health or disability services. For more information visit www.hdc.org.nz, email hdc@hdc.org.nz or call 0800 11 22 33. |
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HELP Auckland & Wellington – provides support for survivors of sexual violence – if you need to make a report to the police, get help to manage the fallout, or just talk about what happened. Auckland: 09 623 1700 (24 hours every day), www.helpauckland.org.nz Wellington: 04 499 7532 (24 hours every day), www.helpwellington.org.nz |
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Human Rights Commission – provides information and useful resources in relation to discrimination issues in employment, both online at www.hrc.co.nz and through its information line, 0800 498 877. Also provides an avenue for you to raise complaints in relation to discrimination which, if unable to be resolved by mediation, may be referred to the Human Rights Review Tribunal. |
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Intersex Trust Aotearoa New Zealand (ITANZ) – provides information, education and training for organisations and professionals who provide services to intersex people and their families www.ianz.org.nz |
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Intersex Youth Aotearoa – a place to share information, find support and network. Intersex Youth Aotearoa aims to improve the visibility of intersex young people, to create community and support. www.intersexyouthaotearoa.wordpress.com |
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InsideOUT – a national organisation which works so young people of minority sexualities, sexes and genders in Aotearoa New Zealand have a sense of belonging and safety in their schools and communities. www.insideout.org.nz |
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Naming New Zealand – an organisation to help transgender, gender diverse and intersex youth with updating their identity documents to correctly reflect their sex and gender. Website: www.naming.nz |
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National Council of Women Runs 'Gender Equal NZ' - a digital movement that is tackling the gender stereotypes and sexist attitudes that persist in Aotearoa New Zealand, and prevent women and gender diverse people from achieving their potential. www.ncwnz.org.nz |
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Netsafe – provides free and confidential help or advice about online challenges, including the reporting of online incidents. For more information, visit www.netsafe.org.nz or contact Netsafe on 0508 638 723, help@netsafe.org.nz or text Netsafe to 4282. |
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OUTLine – volunteers welcome your call to discuss topics around sexuality, gender identity and diverse sex characteristics. They can help you find sources of trusted information, connection to community or peers, and medical or mental health services that welcome LGBTIQ+ people. Free phone: 0800 688 5463 Website: www.outline.org.nz |
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Privacy Commissioner – investigates breaches of privacy and provides an avenue for making complaints in relation to privacy concerns. For more information, see www.privacy.org.nz or call 04 474 7590. |
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RainbowYOUTH – provides free services and support to queer and gender diverse youth. RainbowYOUTH can also refer you to other services which may be more applicable to your situation. For more information, see www.ry.org.nz, or contact RainbowYOUTH on 09 376 4155 or info@ry.org.nz. |
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Shine (Te Kakano Tumanako) – a national domestic abuse charity making homes violence free. 0508 7440633 (9am – 11pm, 7 days) www.2shine.org.nz |
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Shakti – a not-for-profit community organisation working in the areas of women’s development, empowerment and domestic/family violence intervention, prevention and awareness. They provide culturally competent support services for women and children of Asian, African and Middle Eastern origin. 0800 SHAKTI (24 hours everyday) www.shakti-international.org/shakti-nz/ |
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Women’s Refuge – if you are living in fear in your relationship or in your family, or know someone who is, you can get help right now. Women’s Refuge offers all women in New Zealand and their children free advice, emergency accommodation and confidential advocacy services provided by women. 0800 REFUGE (733 843) (24 hours every day) www.womensrefuge.org.nz |
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Whats Up? – provides a free, nationally available counselling helpline for children and teenagers. These services can be accessed by calling 0800 942 8787 (WHATSUP) or visiting www.whatsup.co.nz |
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Youthline – provides advice and support to young people, including counselling and mentoring services. These services can be accessed by calling 0800 376 633 or visiting www.youthline.co.nz |
Government Organisations
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Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment (MBIE) – provides information and useful resources for employees regarding their rights at work, both online at www.employment.govt.nz and through its free information line, 0800 20 90 20. There is also a free mediation service to facilitate the resolution of employment relationship problems. |
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Ministry of Social Development – can provide guidance as to emergency accommodation for people in need of somewhere to stay. These services can be accessed by calling 0800 559 009 or visiting any Ministry of Social Development service centre. |
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Oranga Tamariki (Ministry for Children) – Government body responsible for ensuring the wellbeing of children and young people in Aotearoa. Provides assistance in the form of connecting children and families with trained social workers who are able to assist with various situations. For more information, see www.orangatamariki.govt.nz, or contact Oranga Tamariki on 0508 326 459. |
