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He tāngata, he tāngata,
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Family Works Tairāwhiti is a government-approved service specialising in working with tamariki and whānau in need of support. Our staff have a commitment to embracing connections through aroha, kindness, and compassion and this guides our mahi. We aim to support and empower families and whānau in the Tairāwhiti area – from Gisborne to Pōtaka – to be safe, secure, and well, and live to their potential.
Our services are free. If you need help overcoming challenges, please visit or contact us. You can also ask other agencies to refer you to Family Works. Support is available in many places, including at home, in the community, and at our Gisborne office.
Social Work
Support for children up to 17 years old and/or their parents and caregivers.
Safety Programmes
For women, men, and children who have or are applying for a Protection Order or are the victim of a family harm incident where a charge has been filed in the criminal court.
Youth Work
Social Work and Mentoring to guide the young person to achieve their goals. Individual and group support sessions for young people aged 12 – 17 years old.
Whānau-focused
Building on your strengths and goals
Working flexibly to meet your needs
Working with kindness and aroha
Working with other agencies to support you
Opportunities to grow
We support individuals, whānau, and the community to grow. We offer support with behaviour, processing emotions, communication, social skills, low self-esteem, grief and loss, anxiety, general stress, managing post-crisis, and more. Support includes:
Safety planning and education
Advocacy
Connecting with other services
Parenting and relationship support
Awhi Mai, Awhi Atu: Supporting Nannies and Koro raising mokopuna
Building Awesome Whānau parenting classes
Ministry of Justice Non-Violence Programmes for Wahine
Accessing our services
You can be referred to us by other agencies, or you can simply call or walk in and ask to talk to someone about your needs. We deliver our services in a variety of settings, including clients’ homes, the community, and at our Gisborne office.
To start we need to gather some information. One of our staff members will contact the referrer and/or whānau or family to confirm consent and discuss any further information that we require.
If you prefer a bank transfer, our account number is:
03
0658
0005676
06
Please include your last name and phone number as reference.
“It was extremely helpful for me – helped me navigate one of the most difficult times of my life.”
Feedback about Family Works
“If you want to help locals who are less fortunate, then you should consider becoming a Family Works Angel.”
Colleen Skuse, Family Works Angel
“Showed me tools to deal with life situations I’ve never known how to cope with. It’s helped me more than anything else I’ve ever done.”
Feedback about Family Works
“The non-violence programme helped me realise how much I needed to change my ways and to control my frustration. It’s also helped me bond more with my kids.”
Feedback about Family Works
“Great safety programme – learnt a lot about how to keep myself safe now and in the future. Recommend it to other women in a domestic violence relationship.”