Tāmaki Makaurau tamariki Auckland children supports
Discover supports available to support our rangatahi and tamariki in the Auckland region
Discover supports available to support our rangatahi and tamariki in the Auckland region.
If you live in Auckland, North Shore, Mangere, Papakura, Howick, Pukekohe and Waiuku or anywhere else in the Auckland region, there are support services available for you and your children.
Our Auckland region is part of the Northern region through Health New Zealand. It includes Waitematā, Auckland and Counties Manukau Health Services. There are several Child Development Services to support children and families in your region.
You can access Child Development Services through a referral from your GP (doctor), Plunket nurse, or a paediatrician at the hospital. Take a look at the providers in your region below.
Starship Child Development Service
These services are for tamariki (usually aged 0–16) who have developmental delays or disabilities. They offer assessments, therapy (like physio, speech or occupational therapy), and family support.
Developmental Paediatrics
The Developmental Paediatrics team at Starship helps tamariki who have big challenges with their development or a disability.
They can support children with things like:
Global developmental delay or intellectual disability
Autism or being on the autism spectrum
Cerebral palsy
Genetic conditions like Down syndrome, Rett syndrome, Angelman syndrome or Prader-Willi syndrome
Disability caused by illness or injury (like meningitis or encephalitis)
ADHD (but only if there are also big learning difficulties)
If your child is being looked at for something like cochlear implants, this team might also do a developmental check first.
Find out more Developmental Paediatrics
Contact the team
Email ssfis@adhb.govt.nz
Phone (09) 307 4901 or 0800 307 490 (DDI) for general enquiries/reception
Address Starship Childrens Hospital, 2 Park Road, Grafton, Auckland 1023
Waitematā Child Development Services
They primarily work with children under the age of 5 years. When this CDS works with older children it usually when there are needs for assistive technology equipment or housing modification needs, or where they might need therapy after surgery.
Contact the team
Email childhealthreferrals@waitematadhb.govt.nz
Phone 0800 247 333
Waitakere team address Waitakere Hospital, 55-75 Lincoln Road, Henderson, Auckland 0610
North Shore/Rodney team address 3 Shea Terrace, Takapuna
What to expect from Waitematā Child Development Services
You’ll get support to set goals that match your hopes and dreams for your child and your family. They’ll try to see your child at home, kindy, or out in the community. If they need special gear, they can help you apply for funding. If you need an interpreter, they can support with that too.
The team includes:
Children’s Community Nurses – give specialist care at home
Cultural Case Workers – help whānau understand the health system
Dietitians – offer advice on kai and nutrition
Developmental Coordinators – support with autism and work with other services
Occupational Therapists – help with hand skills and everyday tasks
Physiotherapists – focus on movement and posture
Social Workers – help ease stress and support family life
Speech-Language Therapists – help with feeding and early talking
Visiting Neurodevelopmental Therapists – support little ones with play and positioning
Their team works together, so you might meet one or more of the people above while using this service.
Contact the team
Email childhealthreferrals@waitematadhb.govt.nz
Phone 0800 247 333
Address Starship Childrens Hospital, 2 Park Road, Grafton, Auckland 1023
Kidz First Child Development Service
This community-based team helps tamariki with special needs and their whānau. They offer therapy and social work support in places like schools, kindergartens, homes, clinics, and community centres.
The children they support may have conditions like cerebral palsy, global developmental delay, muscular dystrophy, chromosomal differences, spina bifida, or plagiocephaly with other disabilities. They also help babies born early or with low birth weight who may be at risk.
They offer a paediatric service for children with disabilities like Down syndrome, global developmental delay, and cleft lip and/or palate.
The team provides assessments and support for:
Feeding and swallowing
Early communication
Language delays or disorders
Speech difficulties
AAC (Alternative and Augmentative Communication)
Contact the team
Phone (09) 263 0792 (ext 53202)
Address 95 Wiri Station Road, Manukau 2104
GlowKids Trust
GlowKid is an Auckland based service providing advice, Early Childhood Education, Conductive Education and therapy for children.
Contact the team
Email info@glowkids.org.nz
Phone 098458070
Address 13 Coyle Street, Sandringham, Auckland
Other services available in Auckland
Kaikaranga (Taikura Trust)
Needs Assessment & Service Coordination (NASC)
This is the gateway to getting disability supports. In Auckland, Kaikaranga is the NASC service for people under 65. They can help figure out what your child needs and connect you with supports like personal care, respite, or carer support. They cover all of Auckland – including North Shore, South Auckland, and outlying areas.
How to access: You can self-refer or get referred by a health professional.
Youth Health Services
If your rangatahi (young person) needs health or mental health support, there are youth-friendly health services that offer free or low-cost care.
Health clinics like HealthWEST, The Fono, Auckland Regional Dental Service (for free dental care up to age 18), and Whanau Ora navigators who can help your whole whānau access support in Auckland.
Health Connections (Papakura)
Strive Community Trust (Mangere) offers youth mentoring and support.
Mental Health and Neurodevelopmental Services
For kids with autism, ADHD or mental health challenges, Auckland has several regional specific services:
Kari Centre (Starship) – mental health support for under-18s.
Tamariki Ora providers – Well Child nurses who can help with early detection.
Psychiatric Services for Children and Adolescents (CAMHS) – available in central, west, and south Auckland.
Local Community Support & Programmes
Disability Connect (based in Auckland city) offers info evenings, advocacy and guidance for parents.
Recreate NZ – runs fun, supported activities and camps for young people with disabilities.
PHAB Auckland – inclusive youth groups and social activities.
Spectrum Care – residential and respite support across Auckland.