Reach out
Hauora and wellbeing support for people affected by Cyclone Gabrielle.
It's normal to have ups and downs or feel knocked off balance sometimes, especially after a significant event, but you don't have to go it alone. Free health and wellbeing support is available to help you get back on track.
For cyclone displaced people:
Free GP appointments are available for people who have been displaced from their homes (category one, two or three) in Hawke's Bay.
Displaced people can access:
- two free GP and two free nurse consultations
- one free emergency after-hours consultation
- all services available to cyclone affected people
For cyclone affected people:
Anyone affected by Cyclone Gabrielle can access:
Free counselling
- Up to seven free counselling sessions (face-to-face or online options available), ask your GP clinic for more details
- you can also access counselling by calling/texting 1737
Please note there can be a wait of 4-6 weeks for face-to-face counselling.
Rongoā
Traditional Māori healing is available through Māori hauora.
Free online GP appointments
Practice Plus offers same day clinical consultations with a doctor or nurse. They are easy to book for anyone who cannot access a GP, including people who are not enrolled with a practice as well as rural and isolated communities. Practice Plus can also issue prescriptions and make referrals as needed. Read more here.
Whānau support
The following hauora open access clinics can provide support to whānau who need support to access online counselling or Practice Plus doctor or nurse consults:
- Te Taiwhenua ō Heretaunga - Waipukurau and Flaxmere
- Te Kupenga Hauora - Napier
- Roopu a Iwi Trust - Maraenui
- Kahungunu Executive - Wairoa
In addition, the Manu Taupua programme run by Health Hawke’s Bay is available for Māori, Pasifika and community card holders wishing to enrol in a GP clinic. Read more.
Free Pharmacy service
Your community pharmacy offers advice, treatment, and referral for minor health conditions, including treatment options and medication.
Cyclone affected people will be able to access free pharmacist consultations for the following health conditions:
- Dehydration from gastrointestinal illnesses
- Eye inflammation and infections
- Scabies
- Headlice
- Pain and fever in children
- Eczema/dermatitis
- Minor skin infections
- Uncomplicated urinary tract infections in women.
Support for Wairoa
Cyclone affected or displaced people resident in Wairoa get free access to:
- Two or more GP and nurse consultations through the Wairoa Queen St practice (dependant on need)
- All the services available to cyclone affected people in Hawke’s Bay.
Community Hauora and Wellbeing Grants
Applications to the Community Wellbeing and Hauora Grants have now closed. These grants were made possible via Mental Health and Wellbeing funding allocated by the Government following the North Island weather events.