Connect
Find supports for rainbow service users or friends
If you’re supporting a friend or client, they might need to connect with different types of help. Make sure you ask what kinds of support they would like, and be guided by their needs. Be prepared to learn, do a bit of research into different options, and build connections with service providers.
This page links to a range of different types of referrals and supports that might be relevant to takatāpui and rainbow people looking for housing:
Our page ‘find immediate housing support’ has a list of specific services that can help takatāpui and rainbow people find suitable housing.
Rainbow support organisations provide social and peer support, and often know about rainbow-friendly services in your local area. We have a list of organisations on this page: build relationships with local rainbow groups and organisations.
Some health providers offer specific rainbow-focused health services and gender-affirming healthcare. We have a list of Auckland-based services on this page, and will add to this over time.
Our Te Ngākau Kahukura website has a collection of topic pages that link to support for other things that might be going on in people’s lives:
Auckland-based health services
These places provide a range of rainbow-focused health services and gender-affirming healthcare.
Auckland Sexual Health Service is a clinical health service for transgender people over the age of 18 wanting to medically transition. They also provide free sexual health care for priority populations.
The Centre For Youth Health is service for young people under 21 wanting to medically transition. Social workers and mental health professionals can provide support here as well.
Healthwest - Youth Health Hub is one-stop-shop clinic offering free medical, counselling, mentoring service for young people in West and North Auckland.
New Zealand Prostitutes’ Collective advocates for the rights, safety, health, and well being of all sex workers. They provide support, safer sex products, free sexual health clinics, advice and needle exchange.
CADS Auckland is a service for people affected by drug and alcohol use. They can provide specialist counselling, group support and information to rainbow communities located in Auckland.
“I mean, I walked in the door and I said hey I’m homeless I need some help. And one of them sits down with you, they don’t question anything, they don’t ask you about drugs, or alcohol and all of that other shit, none of that history matters, they just want to know that you’re safe and going forward that you can do better. So yeah, having the understanding there, they didn’t have to sit down and ask me a million questions before being able to support me, they were able to see me and go this is a young queer person who needs support.”