Helplines in New Zealand
If anyone is in immediate danger, call 111 for the police, fire or an ambulance. For support at any hour, you can call or text 1737, free, to talk with a trained counsellor or peer support worker. If you are thinking about suicide, or worried about someone who is, the Suicide Crisis Helpline is on 0508 828 865, from 7am to midnight every day.
All of the services listed here work in English. Lifeline Aotearoa answers on 0800 543 354, or you can text 4357, from 7am to midnight, seven days a week. Texting can help if you can't speak freely where you are, or if saying it out loud feels like too much.
Women and children experiencing family violence can call the Women's Refuge Crisisline on 0800 733 843, day or night. Women's Refuge also offers safe housing. Shelter addresses are kept confidential, and the crisisline arranges places. Shine's domestic abuse helpline is on 0508 744 633, 24/7, with live webchat too. Young people aged 12 to 24 can call Youthline free on 0800 376 633 or text 234. For alcohol or drug worries, the Alcohol Drug Helpline is on 0800 787 797 at any hour. Families and carers of someone with an eating disorder can call EDANZ on 0800 233 269.
If you are visiting with a foreign SIM, dial the numbers as shown. Text services such as 1737, 4357 and 234 can be useful if you are somewhere you can't talk. Each number was checked at its official source, with the date shown beside it.
Emotional support
1737 Need to talk?
National call and text service for brief emotional support from trained counsellors and peer support workers.
- Hours: 24/7
- Languages: English
- English available
- Cost: free
- Text: 1737
- Website
Checked 2026-10-19 · source
Suicide prevention
Domestic violence
Women's Refuge Crisisline
Crisis line, information and safe housing for women and children experiencing family violence.
- Hours: 24/7
- Languages: English
- English available
- Cost: free
- Website
Checked 2026-10-19 · source
Shine Domestic Abuse Helpline
Confidential family violence support by phone or live webchat.
Checked 2026-10-19 · source
Young people
Alcohol and drugs
Eating disorders
Questions about getting help in New Zealand
What is the emergency number in New Zealand?
In New Zealand, call 111 in an emergency. If someone's life is at risk, don't wait: call straight away. Emergency calls are free.
Is there a free mental health helpline in New Zealand?
Yes. 1737 Need to talk? (1737), Suicide Crisis Helpline (0508 828 865) and Lifeline Aotearoa (0800 543 354). Details, opening hours and the official source for each number are listed on this page.
Can I get help in English in New Zealand?
Yes. These services say they offer English: 1737 Need to talk? (1737), Suicide Crisis Helpline (0508 828 865), Lifeline Aotearoa (0800 543 354) and Women's Refuge Crisisline (0800 733 843).
Where can women experiencing violence get help in New Zealand?
Contact Women's Refuge Crisisline (0800 733 843) and Shine Domestic Abuse Helpline (0508 744 633). Shelter addresses are kept confidential for safety, so the helpline is the way in. In immediate danger, call 111.
Is there a helpline for children and young people in New Zealand?
Yes. Youthline (0800 376 633).
Numbers are checked against each service's own website on the date shown. Services change, so if a number doesn't work please tell me: hello@michellefernando.com.