Since 1980, Odyssey has supported thousands of New Zealanders whose lives are affected by alcohol, drug or other addiction challenges.

“You’re not there to help people to get to a place, you’re helping them to get to their place. There are many possibilities…” Staff member during our Why Workshops, 2018-19

Odyssey offers services for adults, young adults, young people and whānau in a variety of settings. 

We want people to have options to access the support they need in ways that work for them. 

We recognise that recovery is a journey and that you may need different supports at different times in your life. 

Wherever or whenever you may access our services – at our community hubs, staying with us, or somewhere else – you will find a supportive environment to learn new skills and work towards new life goals, alongside other people who are experiencing similar challenges. 

Guided and supported by trained peers and practitioners, you will have the time and space to think about what you want from life and how to get there. You will identify what might be holding you back from reaching your goals and you will learn strategies and build skills that will help you move towards the life you want.

Our work is summed up in our purpose, or mission statement:

Tō Tātou Aronga | Our purpose
Ka hangaia e mātou he whare haumaru, he whare tūmanako hoki e tīni ai te tangata, he wāhi whakaaroaro, he wāhi ako, he wāhi tūhono anō hoki, mei kore e puta tātou ki te wheiao, ki te ao mārama.
We create hopeful and safe spaces for change with opportunities to reflect, learn and connect so that people can move towards a brighter future.

Since 1980, Odyssey has supported thousands of New Zealanders whose lives are affected by drug, alcohol or other addiction challenges. We are known for providing effective, evidence-based services that support wellbeing. We do this in partnership with tāngata whai ora (people seeking wellness) and their whānau, working together to build the lives they want. 

As an organisation, we have come a long way since opening a house in Parnell four decades ago. Today, we employ more than 180 people and support more than 4500 tāngata whai ora each year in a wide range of settings: in residential programmes, in schools, in custodial settings and in the community.

“Odyssey feels like a whānau; people are supported and valued for who they are and what they do; it is acknowledged that it takes everyone to create real change.” Kōrero, Odyssey Why workshops, 2018-19

In late 2018 and over the course of 2019 we went through a co-design process with staff and tāngata whai ora to reimagine our vision and purpose, reflecting on who we are and why we are here.  We called this process our ‘Why workshops’. From these kōrero, we developed a new vision statement – the kind of New Zealand we want to see:

Tō Tātou Matakitenga | Our vision

Poutia, Heretia
Tuia te muka tangata ki te pou tokomanawa
Ka tū mana motuhake; Ka noho herekore i ngā waranga me ngā wero nui o te ao
People, whānau and communities are connected and supported to live the lives they want; free from drug, alcohol and other addiction challenges.

Who are we then? 

We are champions of recovery, of connected communities, of reconnected whānau and of empowered whai ora.

“Since I have been at Odyssey, I have completed some goals I previously wouldn’t have thought possible…I have reconnected with loved ones I thought were gone forever…I am a proud Aunty to a beautiful three year old boy and a beautiful two year old girl…I have ended a relationship in which I was physically and mentally abused…I am 12 months meth and heroin sober…But most importantly, I have found a fire inside me for the first time in 10 years of drug use that wants to live, that wants and knows I deserve a better life.” A female resident at Odyssey’s Te Wairua service

“Hope is something I haven’t had for a long time, and I’m starting to have it now. Hope for myself, and for my kids.” A resident at Odyssey’s Te Wairua service

This is our why.

We wholeheartedly believe that everyone living in New Zealand should have the opportunity to live life to the fullest, to feel hopeful about their future, and to have meaningful relationships with friends and whānau.

Many people that we support have endured stigma, discrimination, or social exclusion. Similarly, they may have experienced disadvantages in education, housing, employment and access to social services, as well as being disproportionately affected by structural and historic barriers that hinder their ability to exercise their rights to good health.   

None of these factors are supportive of sustained recovery, nor do they nurture strong whānau and communities.

We want to change this.

We want to support tāngata whai ora to achieve their goals and get to the future they want, to a place where they are*:

• “Employed and learning”

• “Confident and independent”

• “In positive relationships”

• “Living a stable life”

• “A good role model for my children.”

* The top five desired outcomes of Odyssey residents surveyed in 2018.

“All the connections I need in my life to have a healthy lifestyle are back in my life and I’m starting to see the person I used to be, but an even better version.  I’m a better mother, a better person. I’ve found that love and acceptance of myself. I like that.” Te Wairua resident

For many people, connecting with Odyssey is a turning point in their lives. Accessing our services provides an opportunity for reflection and discovery, for learning and practicing new skills, for working towards goals that support wellbeing.

Whether you are participating in one of our residential programmes or accessing our support elsewhere, you will benefit from a safe, supportive environment that enables a structured, reflective approach to make sense of what you want from life, and how you might get there.

You will work with and learn from other people who have had similar experiences.  There will be opportunities to learn and practice many new skills and strategies for managing your emotions, building your confidence and self-esteem, and strengthening relationships with whānau and others in your community.

We will support you to participate in cultural and other activities that are informed by traditional, holistic approaches to wellbeing.

You may also choose to participate in one of our work training programmes or to access learning opportunities with other providers that will support you in the next steps on your journey. We want you to feel confident and hopeful about your future.

Yes, you will make changes during your time with us and you will gain many new skills, but most importantly, you will learn about the strengths you already have and discover how these can be reinforced to connect you to a future that is free from alcohol, drug or other addiction challenges.

Our work is made possible by the generosity and ongoing support of our funders, benefactor and partners. Together, we support people to move towards a brighter future, bringing hope to whānau and communities throughout New Zealand. Our work would not be possible without your support - thank you!

We are grateful for the support and guidance of our mana whenua partners in Auckland, Waikato and Northland, in particular Ngāti Whātua o Ōrākei.

We would also like to acknowledge the contribution of longstanding programme collaborators who share our commitment to support whai ora and whānau work towards stronger futures.

Many thanks to our service and agency partners within initiatives such as the Haven acute drug harm minimisation project, Te Ara Oranga, The Citizenship Project, Te Whare Whakapiki Wairua (AODTC) and Youth INtact. We value the opportunity to work with you all.