Leaving care
Transitioning out of care
If you are leaving care and transitioning into adulthood, Oranga Tamariki run the Transition Support Service. They can help with things like:
- Finding somewhere to live
- Getting your drivers licence
- Finding a job
- Getting legal advice
- Getting counselling
- Finding and enrolling in a training course
- Getting food
You may be able to stay
Staying with your caregiver after 18
To see if you are eligible for Transition Support, call them for free on 0800 55 89 89.
If you are 18 and you do not want to leave your current home, it is possible for you to stay with your caregiver up to the age of 21. If your caregiver is also keen, that is something the Transition Support team can help with. Call them on 0800 55 89 89 and they will help you stay where you want to be.
After high school
Accessing tertiary support
We are currently working on a hub of information for care-experienced young people who want to access tertiary education after high school.
For now, we are working with TE4CL, Kia Eke, Tertiary Education 4 Care Leavers, on their mahi to improve access to tertiary education for care leavers in Aotearoa. Created by care-experienced tertiary students, they are hoping to steer Aotearoa towards more equitable access to education.
Scholarships and awards: the Prime Minister's Oranga Tamariki Awards.
Somewhere to live
Need housing support?
If you are a young person and you do not have a safe or stable place to live, there are lots of people and organisations who want to support you. These are some of the services we recommend. Open your region to see them.
You are not alone
Whakarongo, the podcast
There is a whole community of young people who are in care, or who have been in care. Here at VOYCE Whakarongo Mai we even have kaimahi who have been in care themselves.
In 2024 VOYCE created a podcast with a care-experienced host and care-experienced guests. It is called Whakarongo, which means listen in te reo Māori.