Our Te Wairua residential programme is open to New Zealanders aged 18 years and over, who are seeking support with mental health challenges alongside drug or alcohol issues.

We value diversity and we respect the unique culture and identity of everyone who may seek our support. We do not discriminate based on gender identity or sexual orientation. We welcome whai ora from prison and from the community. For more information about legal conditions, please ask your legal counsel to contact our Assessments and Admissions team.

Funding. If you have a residential address in Auckland, your local District Health Board (DHB) will be able to fund your treatment. If you live outside Auckland, funding may be available with the following DHBs: Waikato, Bay of Plenty, Lakes, Mid Central and Taranaki. Alternatively, you may be eligible for funding as part of the National Methamphetamine Programme. If you do not see your DHB listed here, please contact the Assessments and Admissions team to discuss your funding options.

If you would like to find out whether Odyssey might be an option for you, please complete our referral form and send it to us at admissioncentre@odyssey.org.nz. Please contact us on 09 638 4957 if you have any questions about the form.

Once we have received your referral form, we will review your application. 

If an assessment is suitable, we will contact you to book an assessment.  We will be in touch as soon as we can. 

Please note, due to high demand for our services at various times, our assessment process is sometimes delayed. If you have any queries regarding your potential assessment, please call us on 09 638 4957 or ask your referrer to get in touch.

The assessment (by your Odyssey case manager) may be via phone call, an online meeting, or a face to face appointment at our community hub in New Lynn. 

The assessment report, plus any other relevant information such as your medical history is then reviewed.

If your application is accepted, your case manager will arrange an admission date for you and support you throughout the admission process.

The Te Wairua programme is based on a treatment approach called a therapeutic community or TC.
A TC is a supportive peer environment, where members of the community gain skills to make the changes they need to live the lives they want.

Everyone who lives or works in our therapeutic community (TC) lives by a set of shared values, known as our pillars. These are Trust, Honesty, Responsibility, Concern and Love. As you work through our programme, you will learn how these pillars can support you in your recovery.

In a TC, the community itself is a vital part of your treatment.
Learning occurs in the way everyone lives and works together as residents and staff, and in the roles and responsibilities shared across the community. It’s all about helping you gain skills to be more in control of your life, free from drug, alcohol or other addiction challenges.

We want you to experience the benefits of living a life that follows a routine. During the week, each house follows a timetable of scheduled jobs, activities and group sessions, as well as time for recreation or relaxation. You will be able to participate in a range of creative, social, cultural and outdoor activities. Your week may include activities such as kapa haka or other tikanga Māori study and practice. Or you might participate in one of our work training programmes.

Saturdays and Sundays are a little more relaxed with time for visits from family and friends, as well as down time to reflect on your week.

We encourage family members to be actively involved before, during and after your stay with us. There are opportunities for shared meals, weekend visits, and a forum for family and whānau members to provide feedback and suggestions.

Find out more about Odyssey and our kaupapa or approach.