Support for older people in South Canterbury

Local services providing care for older people in South Canterbury. These include Needs Assessment and Service Coordination (NASC) agencies, Meals on Wheels and nursing.


Needs Assessment and Service Coordination (NASC) agencies

The Needs Assessment Service assesses the needs of people who struggle with daily activities because of age, a health condition or disability. The goal of the needs assessment is to help people maximise their independence.

Needs Assessment Service (internal link)

NASC agencies organise help to stay at home, support services for carers and entry into residential care.


Needs Assessment and Service Coordination — South Canterbury

The agency contact for South Canterbury is Needs Assessment Service Coordination (NASC).

The agency provides services across:

  • Timaru
  • Fairlie
  • Geraldine
  • Mt Cook
  • Temuka
  • Twizel
  • Waimate.

Health of Older Persons (HOP) — Health New Zealand | Te Whatu Ora South Canterbury (external link)


Other services for older people

Meals on Wheels

Meals on Wheels is a support service that prepares and delivers a subsidised hot midday meal.

Meals on Wheels (internal link)

You usually need to be referred to the service by a healthcare provider.

The Citizens Advice Bureau has contact details for Meals on Wheels services in each region.

Meals on Wheels community directory — Citizens Advice Bureau (external link) 

District nursing

District nursing is a community based service within South Canterbury working across the following areas: Timaru, Geraldine, Temuka, Waimate, Fairlie and Twizel.

To contact district nursing services:

Shuttle services

Hato Hone St John Health Shuttles

The St John Health Shuttle is a community service that transports people to and from medical and health-related appointments.

The service is run by volunteers. A donation is greatly appreciated to help cover costs.

Hato Hone St John Health Shuttle operates a service:

  • from Timaru to Christchurch Hospital (Aoraki Health Shuttle).

To make a booking for Hato Hone St John Health Shuttles (bookings close at 3pm on the day before travel):

Waka Ora Health Shuttles — Hato Hone St John (external link)