Counselling services

Services are available to students residing in New Zealand. We are unable to provide counselling to anyone outside of the country either as domestic or international students.

We offer several different ways for onshore students to get support. Check out the links below for further information.

Please note: If you have cold or flu like symptoms you will need to request a virtual session, contact us on 0800 358 5453.

Services available

We provide short-term counselling support for students, for any issues that are impacting on their studies e.g. life challenges, relationships, family, sexuality, depression, anxiety, stress, alcohol/drug issues.

Two to three sessions are often enough to help get back on track, but if you need more sessions we can discuss this with you and work together to develop a personalised plan or offer referrals as needed.

To best fit your needs, we ask you to complete the questionnaire linked below ahead of your first session. All information you provide will be treated with the utmost confidentiality, as per the Privacy Act 2020.

Note: The questionnaire will only display for enrolled students. 

Support for Māori and Pacific students

We have Māori and Pacific counsellors who can provide culturally affirming supports, utilising resources available specifically for these students.

Puāwaitanga Counselling

Online support available seven days a week, 9am-9pm. 

Get support with feelings of anxiety, low mood, relationships, grief, addictions, low self-esteem or low confidence.

  • A phone and online support service to help strengthen your wellbeing.
  • Counselling sessions are held over the phone and use a web-based program.
  • The service is independent, confidential and free.

To enrol, call 0800 782 999 or click the button below.

Please note: you will be asked for your student ID number to confirm you are an enrolled student.

Enrol with Puāwaitanga

Walk in appointments

Walk-in appointments have now moved to Te Papa Manaaki, Campus Care team. Visit their page for more information about this service. 

Location: Reception Desk, Building 315-151, Level 1, Kate Edger Information Commons
Opening hours: Monday-Friday 8.30am-4pm.

Immediate risk: for an emergency that is happening right now please call Emergency Services on 111, or, to discuss your own or someone else's safety or acute mental health crisis, phone the Mental Health Crisis Team 24/7 on 0800 800 717.

Attending an appointment

You must bring your student ID card to all appointments - this is a safety requirement. A lot of our services are free to domestic students and for some international students who have the appropriate insurance plan.

Changing or missing appointments:

We require 24-hours notice of a change or cancellation of an appointment. If we do not receive notice, you will be charged a fee.

We do this to ensure that we have time to fill cancelled slots with students who may require our help and resources.

To change or cancel an appointment, call 0800 698 427/ 0800 MY UHCS