About us
The Christchurch Women’s Centre works with and for the wellbeing of all wāhine by assisting, encouraging and supporting them to make informed choices in their lives.
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Established in 1986, we are a registered charity – relying on grants, donations, and a small fee for our services. The Christchurch Women’s Centre is committed to a future based on Te Tiriti o Waitangi.
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We provide counselling and therapy, courses and workshops, support groups, and information services, all designed to walk alongside women as they navigate life’s challenges and opportunities.
Every day, we see the ripple effect of this work. When women are supported, families are strengthened, and communities thrive. The Christchurch Women’s Centre is often a turning point, offering a lifeline for those experiencing isolation, hardship, or trauma, and a place of growth and connection for those seeking confidence and new skills.
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Our Mission
Empowering women through free, high-quality counselling, therapy, and community connection - supporting mental and emotional well-being while building the next generation of professional counsellors
Our Vision
A safe, welcoming, and inclusive space where all women in Ōtautahi can find support, connection, and empowerment to thrive.
Our Values
INTEGRITY: Our actions align with our words.
COMMUNITY: Connection, belonging, and share purpose.
EDUCATION: Developing counsellors for the future.
SERVICE: A mindset of contribution
Nā te wāhine, ka puāwai te hapori
Through women,
the community flourishes
Contributing to the community
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Professional support
At the Christchurch Women’s Centre, we believe every woman deserves access to professional mental and emotional support. Our services include low-cost, high-quality counselling and psychotherapy, but our work goes beyond this.
We’ve also building the capability of future professionals by offering experience and supervision for counselling students. This strengthens the profession and helps ensure our community has skilled, compassionate counsellors and therapists.
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Healing through connection
We understand that healing isn’t just about therapy and counselling. It’s also about connection.
That’s why the Christchurch Women’s Centre facilitates workshops, courses, activities and group support, to help women build relationships, share experiences and find strength in community.
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Filling critical gaps
Due to New Zealand’s stretched mental health system, many women find themselves ‘falling through the cracks’ – either by not meeting the threshold for urgent intervention, or by facing long wait times to get support.
The Christchurch Women’s Centre fills this critical gap, ensuring women get timely support before they reach crisis point, which also helps to ease pressure on overstretched public services.
Contact us
You’re welcome to contact us the Christchurch Women’s Centre at any time to ask questions, get support, or find out what options are available to you. We’re here to help.