Community & Care: The Bay of Plenty’s Local Support Network

Vector Group Charitable Trust works from Te Puke across the Bay of Plenty. This post is a snapshot of community organisations in the rohe — largely volunteer-led charities and trusts covering social support, health, youth, arts, culture, and the environment.

The Bay of Plenty has a deep network of groups improving life for residents. The list below is not complete; many marae, sports clubs, churches, and smaller initiatives also hold communities together.

Social and family support

Essential help for individuals and whānau — mental health, financial pressure, crisis support, and family wellbeing:

• The Salvation Army — social service centres, food banks, and family support in Tauranga, Rotorua, Whakatāne, and wider BOP
• Family Works Northern (Presbyterian Support) — counselling, social work, parenting programmes, and financial mentoring (Tauranga, Rotorua, Whakatāne)
• Citizens Advice Bureau (CAB) — free, confidential information on legal, housing, consumer, and everyday issues
• Women’s Refuge — safety and support for women and children experiencing domestic violence
• Homes of Hope — Tauranga charitable trust providing safe, therapeutic care for children who have been abused or neglected

Health and wellbeing

Physical and mental health, education, and services that lift community wellbeing:

• Waipuna Hospice — palliative care and support for life-limiting illness and families
• The Good Neighbour Charitable Trust — food rescue and wider community support, including Good Gardens and wellness through growing
• Age Concern — advocacy and services for older people: outings, companionship, and information
• Mental Health Foundation of New Zealand — resources and networks for mental health awareness and suicide prevention

Youth and education

Groups focused on young people’s growth, skills, and belonging:

• Vector Group Charitable Trust — Te Puke-based registered charity (CC45966) delivering youth development, community engagement, information sharing, creative projects, and collaborative support for shared-identity communities, with kai resilience as a cross-programme focus (including Grow Te Puke, Troppo, and related initiatives)
• Graeme Dingle Foundation — Kiwi Can, Project K, and other school-based programmes building confidence and life skills
• Boys & Girls’ Brigades — social, physical, and spiritual development for young people in a safe setting

Arts, culture, and heritage

Creativity, history, and cultural life across the region:

• Creative Bay of Plenty — resources, connections, and advocacy for artists and cultural projects
• Tauranga Arts Festival — biennial festival of music, theatre, comedy, and literature
• Baycourt Community and Arts Centre — performing arts venue for local and touring events
• The Historic Village (Tauranga) — heritage site hosting non-profits, studios, and community-facing spaces

Environmental and conservation

Protecting and restoring the Bay of Plenty’s whenua and moana:

• Western Bay Wildlife Trust — native seabird protection (including little blue penguins), education, and volunteering
• Bay Conservation Alliance — building capability for local conservation and restoration at scale
• EnviroHub Bay of Plenty — network connecting 80+ environmental and sustainable living groups

Times, services, and contacts change — use each organisation’s own channels for the latest details. For food and kai support listings in the region, see Mana Kai Mana Ora and KaiResilience.food.

Explore more: Community · Youth development · Kai resilience · About Vector Group