Separation, parenting changes and major life transitions can be hard to navigate — especially when you’re trying to work out where to go for the right kind of help.
There are services across New Zealand that can support dads with fatherhood, parenting arrangements, separation, legal questions, wellbeing and simply having someone to talk to.
Below are some useful places to start.
If you’re not sure what kind of support you need, that’s okay. Start with the section that feels closest to what’s happening for you.
Support Specifically for Dads
Father & Child Trust
Father & Child provides practical and peer support specifically for fathers.
They support dads with issues including fatherhood, relationships, separation, parenting challenges and staying involved in their children’s lives.
Good place to start if:
You want to talk to someone who understands the experience of being a dad.
Visit Father & Child → https://fatherandchild.org.nz/
Kidz Need Dadz
Kidz Need Dadz supports fathers to build and maintain strong relationships with their children.
Their services can include peer support, parenting support and help for fathers navigating separation and changes in their relationship with their children.
Good place to start if:
You’re worried about your relationship with your children or want support becoming a more connected and confident dad.
Visit Kidz Need Dadz → https://knd.org.nz/
Parenting After Separation
Parenting Through Separation
Parenting Through Separation is a free programme designed to help parents understand how separation can affect children and how to support them through change.
It focuses on keeping children’s wellbeing at the centre of parenting decisions.
Good place to start if:
You’re newly separated or trying to work out how to support your children through the changes.
Find Parenting Through Separation → https://barnardos.org.nz/our-work/parenting-through-separation
Family Dispute Resolution
If you and your former partner are struggling to agree on parenting arrangements, Family Dispute Resolution can provide independent mediation.
A mediator helps parents work towards practical arrangements that focus on the wellbeing of their children.
Good place to start if:
Communication has broken down or you can’t agree on parenting arrangements.
Learn About Family Dispute Resolution → https://www.justice.govt.nz/family/care-of-children/parenting-arrangements/cant-agree-on-parenting-arrangements/
Legal Information & Advice
Community Law
Community Law provides free legal information and, depending on your circumstances, legal advice.
They can help with areas such as parenting arrangements, guardianship, separation and Family Court processes.
Good place to start if:
You’re unsure about your legal rights, responsibilities or options.
Visit Community Law → https://communitylaw.org.nz/
Ministry of Justice – Family & Parenting
The Ministry of Justice provides information about:
parenting arrangements
parenting agreements
Parenting Orders
Family Dispute Resolution
Parenting Through Separation
Family Court processes
legal aid
Family Legal Advice Services
It also provides practical information for parents trying to make arrangements after separation.
Visit Family Justice Services → https://www.justice.govt.nz/family/
When You Need Someone to Talk To
Sometimes you don’t need to solve everything straight away.
Sometimes you just need someone outside the situation to listen.
1737 – Need to Talk?
Call or text 1737 at any time to speak with a trained counsellor or peer support worker.
The service is free, confidential and available 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
People use 1737 for things including relationship difficulties, loneliness, anxiety, grief, stress and major life changes.
Call or text: 1737
Visit 1737 → https://www.1737.org.nz/
Lifeline Aotearoa
Lifeline provides confidential emotional support for people who are struggling or simply need someone to talk to.
Call: 0800 543 354
Text: HELP to 4357
Visit Lifeline → https://www.lifeline.org.nz/
Finding Other Support
Family Services Directory
The Family Services Directory can help you find organisations across New Zealand providing support with things such as:
parenting
relationships
separation
counselling
men’s wellbeing
financial difficulties
housing
family violence
mental health
community support
You can search by service type and location.
Good place to start if:
You know roughly what kind of support you need but want to find a provider that suits you.
Find Support Services → https://www.familyservices.govt.nz/directory/
If Safety Is an Issue
If you or your children are in immediate danger, call 111.
Safe to Talk
Safe to Talk provides free and confidential support for people affected by sexual harm.
Call: 0800 044 334
Text: 4334
Visit Safe to Talk → https://www.safetotalk.nz/
You Don’t Have to Figure Everything Out Alone
Separation and major life change can create several problems at once.
You might be trying to manage parenting arrangements, work, finances, difficult communication, loneliness and uncertainty about what comes next.
You don’t necessarily need to solve everything today.
Sometimes the best place to start is simply asking:
What do I need the most help with right now?
Then you can find the right person, organisation or service to help with that part.
If what you need is a space to think things through, work out what you can control and identify some practical next steps, coaching may also be able to help.
A Note About These Resources
The organisations listed here are independent of The Steady Human.
Services, eligibility and availability can change, so please check directly with each provider for the most up-to-date information.
Coaching is not a substitute for counselling, psychotherapy, legal advice or medical care. Where your needs sit outside the scope of coaching, appropriate professional support should be sought.