No matter what's troubling you, we are here to listen - 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year. No matter what's troubling you, we are here to listen - 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year.

Are you a good listener? Do your friends tell you their problems? Could you be a Samaritan?

Welcome to New Zealand Samaritans

The New Zealand Samaritans is a confidential listening and support telephone service operating 24 hours a day for people who may have feelings of loneliness, depression or even be contemplating suicide.

Samaritans do:

  • listen and help people talk through what’s troubling them
  • offer compassion and understanding
  • offer callers confidentiality and anonymity
  • discuss options
  • offer support and encouragement

Samaritans don't:

  • give advice.
  • provide counselling.
  • solve people’s problems. Samaritans don't focus on the problem; they respond to the person.
  • make referrals, but they are ready to listen and continue to support callers in need of a listening ear.

This website also offers an anonymous forum for discussing a range of topics from depression to alcohol and drug abuse to sexuality issues to bereavement.

While most of our work is over the telephone, some Samaritans branches also offer a service for visitors to our centres, where they can meet and listen to people in person. It is a good idea to ring the helpline 0800 726 666 and arrange a time.

The New Zealand Samaritans service is a charitable organisation and is headquartered in Wellington. There are six Samaritans offices across the North Island and they can be contacted directly if you prefer.