Hauora/Wellbeing

Ōtaki College has a range of Counselling services available to support rangatahi.

We have a full time Counsellor who is a member of the New Zealand Association of Counsellors (NZAC).

We also have an Arts Therapist and Alcohol and Drugs Counsellor (both available one day each week). Our students also have access to on site Counselling and Psychologist support through Kāpiti Youth Support (one day each week). 

All staff are here to help students, especially their Homeroom/Kaiārahi Teachers, Deans and Counsellor. Students will be assigned to a class under the guidance of a Kaiārahi Teacher who has a special responsibility for the students in this class, their welfare and progress. Year levels are looked after by Deans, who meet regularly with Class Teachers and the Senior Leadership Team. The Deans also report to whānau and will consult with you over any particular concerns or difficulties. 

The College has a Counsellor, Jo McInerney, who is available to assist students in any way possible. She can be reached on 364 8204, extension 716, or emailed on jmi@otakicollege.school.nz.  Students may approach the Counsellor directly on any matter. 

Advice on careers is available from the Careers Advisor, Steph Putt, spt@otakicollege.school.nz, who will also be prepared to assist students in providing information and advice.

We also have a range of outside providers available to support students and whānau.  These services include Kāpiti Youth Support (KYS) - GP, nurse clinics (Tuesday and Thursday) and student mentoring.  Counselling and psychologist support can also be accessed through KYS (Monday).

More extensive coverage of services and support options can be found on our Counselling Site. 

Ōtaki College Counselling and Health Services 2025

Ōtaki College works alongside outside organisations to offer a multidisciplinary team to support the hauora of our students.

Counselling staff:

Jo McInerney- ext 716: available Monday-Friday

Janine Moody (Arts Therapist)- ext 714: available Monday and Tuesday

Whaioro Trust Alcohol and Drug Counselling Support - ext 714: available Thursday

Quit Smoking Support- Te Runanga o Raukawa - Jo McInerney will arrange appointments as required.

Kapiti Youth Support (KYS) college health clinic- Te Whare Hauora

Appointments can be made through the student centre.

Monday- Counselling support

Tuesday- Health clinic and Counselling support

Thursday- Health clinic

Kapiti Youth Support Ōtaki

This free health service is available for young people (11-25 years). The clinic is open each Tuesday 11am-4.30pm and is located at 14 Matene St. 

With our own on site health centre we will endeavour where possible for student appointments to occur at college during the school day. Students may still choose to access the Matene St clinic after school hours.