Printer-friendly VersionServices For Asylum Seekers
Hospital and Public Health Services
Please note all hospital and public health services have trained interpreters available free of charge.
- Public health screening: a public health services medical examination is recommended for people applying for refugee status in New Zealand. Phone: 09 262 1855, extension 5678 for an appointment.
- Auckland sexual health service: Provides a free and confidential service for advice and information about sexual health. Sexual health checks and treatment. Building 16, Auckland Hospital, Park Road, Grafton, Phone: 09 307 2885.
- Community aids resource team: Assistance with health and welfare support for people affected by HIV and AIDS. 2/3 Poynton Terrace, Phone: 09 309 2693.
Public Hospitals
When attending public hospitals please bring a letter from the Refugee Status Branch to explain your status to obtain free care.
Central Auckland
- Auckland Hospital: 50 Park Road, Phone: 09 307 4949.
- Starship Hospital (for children): 50 Park Road, Phone 09 307 4949.
- Green Lane Hospital: Greenlane West Road, Epsom, Phone 09 307 4949.
West Auckland
- Waitakere Hospital: Lincoln Road, Henderson, Phone: 09 839 0000.
South Auckland
- Middlemore Hospital: Hospital Road, Otahuhu, Phone 09 276 0000.
Immigration Service
- Refugee Status Branch: :280 Queen Street. For all immigration enquiries contact the NZIS Call Centre, Phone: 09 914 4100 for advice. Accepts and decides on applications for refugee (asylum) in New Zealand. Provides information about the application process and applicants rights and responsibilities.
Accommodation
- Auckland Refguee Council Inc, Auckland Refugee Centre: Emergency accommodation for asylum seekers. Assistance provided with welfare benefits, referral to other agencies, English classes, health clinic, advocacy service to help present refugee claims. 17 James Laurie Street, Glendene, Phone: 09 835 1570.
- Auckland Latin American Community Inc Hospital: The House of Friends, emergency shelter for all asylum seekers, social services, advocacy support, referrals for health, education, employment, English classes, cultural support and counselling. 23 Lenore Road, Mangere. Phone: 09 636 8776.
Advocacy and Representation
Legal aid is available for refugee claimants. This means that the government will make a financial grant to a lawyer for a case that has merit. You should talk to a lawyer to discuss your eligibility for legal aid.
Welfare Benefits
Work and Income New Zealand (WINZ): To make an appointment for income support contact the Call Centre, Phone: 0800 6559 009. Please bring an interpreter if needed or one will be provided if unable to. WINZ needs two days notice for this to be arranged. Please note, bring a Certificate of Identification and a letter from the Refugee Status Branch to explain your status in order to make an application for income support.
Learning English Language
You may apply to Work and Income New Zealand (WINZ) for free English language lessons or you may apply at the following institutes:
- Auckland University of Technology (AUT) School of Languages: 59-67 Wellesley Street East, Auckland Central, Phone: 09 917 9999.
- Unitec Institute of Technology: 139 Carrington Road, Mt Albert, Private Bag 92 025, Auckland, Phone: 09 815 4321.
- Home Tutors: West Phone: 09 846 0398, Central Phone: 09 523 0071, North Shore Phone: 09 917 9830, South Phone: 09 278 9099. English language skills and social support for effective resettlement of adult refugees and asylum seekers. Provision for learners includes one to one tutoring, social language groups and classes for specific purposes.
Please take a letter from Refugee Status Branch to explain your status.
Education for Children and Young People
The children and young people of families who are asylum seekers are entitled to free education in New Zealand primary and secondary schools. When enrolling children and young people in schools, please bring a letter from Refugee Status Branch to explain your status in order to obtain free education.
General Practitioner Services
For emergency medical attention:
- White Cross Emergency: 52 St Lukes Road, Phone: 09 815 3111.
- Roskill Union and Community Health: 106A Stoddard Road, Mt Roskill, Phone: 09 629 2872.
- Auckland Refugee Council Free Refugee Health Clinic: one afternoon per week. Auckland Refugee Centre, 17 James Laurie Street, Glendene, Phone 09 835 1570.
- Peoples Centre Medical and Dental Services: 33 Wyndham Street, Auckland Central, Phone: 09 302 2496.
Dental Services
For emergency dental attention:
- White Cross Emergency: 52 St Lukes Road, Phone: 09 815 3111.
Take a letter from the Refugee Status Branch to explain your status in order to receive free care.
Mental Health
- Auckland Refugees as Survivors Centre: Assessment and counselling for people from refugee backgrounds. Mangere Refugee Resettlement Centre, 251 Massey Road, Phone: 09 270 0870.
- Auckland Healthcare Mental Health Services in Central Auckland Healthcare Services: Crisis 24 hour answer service 0800 800 717, St Lukes Community Mental Health Centre, 615 New North Road, Morningside, PHone 09 845 0940.
- West Auckland Crisis Care: community assessment and treatment team. Phone: 09 837 6603, Fax: 09 837 6663.
- Henderson House Community Mental Health Centre: 287 Great North Road, Henderson, Phone: 09 837 9900.
- South Auckland Crisis Care: community assessment and treatment team: Phone: 09 270 4764.
Social Support Services
- Auckland Refugee Council Inc: Emergency accommodation for asylum seekers. Assistance provided with welfare benefits, referral to other agencies, English classes, free health clinic, advocacy services to present refugee claims. 17 James Laurie Street, Glendene, Phone: 09 835 1570. Advocacy to prepare and present refugee status claims 4 Warnock Street, Grey Lynn, Phone 09 378 7434, PO Box 78 024, Grey Lynn, Auckland.
- New Zealand Red Cross: Family tracing and Red Cross message services. International document transfers. International health/medical reports. International community of the Red Cross (ICRC) travel documents. Phone: 09 377 4175.
- Salvation Army Community Services: Foodbank (available only when WINZ is unable to provide assistance), counselling, furniture, advocacy. 403 Mt Albert Road, Mt Roskill, Phone: 09 620 7088, 7-9 View Road, Henderson, Phone: 09 837 4471.
- Baptist Action City Mission: Help to families in need. Advocacy and support. Referrals to other agencies and social work support. Phone: 09 377 3183.
- Reunity Trust: Support group for asylum seekers. Assistance with accommodation and employment. 40 Sefton Avenue, Grey Lynn, Phone: 09 376 4768.
- Auckland City Mission: Crisis care services (Central and South Auckland). Emergency assistance with food, clothing and basic furniture, referral and advocacy by social work team, drop in for homeless and people in boarding house accommodation. Foodbank available for emergency food supplies. 140 Hobson Street, Phone: 09 379 2395.