Kaitaia opens new Crisis Recovery Café for mental health support

A new Crisis Recovery Café, named Te Whare Tau, has officially opened in Kaitaia to provide mental health and addiction support. The facility is being delivered by Rakau Ora, an organization with established community ties.

Mental Health Minister Matt Doocey stated that the initiative aims to provide a calm alternative to emergency departments, which can often feel too clinical or overwhelming for those in distress. The café will offer faster access to peer support workers who can assist individuals in connecting with community services.

This opening marks the first of three planned Crisis Recovery Cafés in the Northland region, with additional locations expected to open in Whangārei and Kaikohe by the end of the year. Rakau Ora, led by Chief Executive Vanessa Kite, previously operated a Wellness Hub that provided support for mental health, substance-related harm, and homelessness.