Services
The Kōwhai Centre
The Kōwhai Centre provides free counselling support to the community.
Student counsellors from the Bachelor of Social Services programme offer supportive counselling to members of the public in a training environment under NZAC supervision.
Students of the programme are in their second year of training, bringing with them theoretical knowledge, life experience, previous training and diversity. As a client of the Kōwhai Centre, you may be asked by your student counsellor for permission to record a client session. If this happens, you will not be visible on the recording – the camera will be focused on the counsellor.
Students are supported by lecturing staff who are also counsellors, to provide free counselling that is professional, supportive and accessible.
The Kōwhai Centre is open to the public.
We accept donations and do not charge for services.
If you are an Otago Polytechnic student seeking a counselling service, please visit our Counselling page on the Student Support website.
We are open:
- Wednesday, 3.00pm - 7.00pm
- Thursday, 11.00am - 7.00pm
- Friday, 9.00am - 3.00pm
If you would like to make an appointment, you can email us or complete the online form below. A referral can be made by another professional of any service, organisation or agency.
We cannot accept a referral made on behalf of a friend or family member without first speaking to the person who will receive the counselling.
The Kōwhai Centre Manager will contact you to find out more about your situation so we can offer you the best service possible. This will occur on our next opening day, which may not be until the next Wednesday, Thursday or Friday.
Please note: The Kōwhai Centre service is not available to Otago Polytechnic students. If you are an Otago Polytechnic student seeking a counselling service, please visit our Counselling page on the Student Support website.
The Kōwhai Centre offers individual counselling sessions to people 17 years of age and older in a confidential and safe setting to explore, clarify or resolve life's challenges such as:
- Relationships
- Grief and loss
- Stress
- Parenting
- Self-esteem
- Planning and goal setting
- Life changes
All students receive regular individual supervision by qualified members of a professional association such as New Zealand Association of Counsellors (NZAC).
Please note: We do not offer couples counselling at the Kōwhai Centre.
- Confidentiality
- Professional support
- Respectful, caring counsellors
- Comfortable, private setting
- A person-centred approach and other counselling models of practice
- NZAC supervised counselling.
Kōwhai Centre
6th floor
H Block, The Hub
Dunedin Campus, Otago Polytechnic
Forth Street
The Kōwhai Centre can be accessed by stairs or a lift which can be found near our main entrance off Forth Street.
Phone 03 479 6198
Please leave a message on the answering machine as we are only able to take calls within the hours of service. Alternatively, please email the Kōwhai Centre Manager, kowhai.centre@op.ac.nz