How to Help People with Cancer: A Practical Guide for Supporting People with Cancer in New Zealand

A cancer diagnosis is life-changing - not just emotionally and physically, but also financially and logistically. For friends and family, knowing how to help can make a real difference. Here’s an up-to-date guide on the many ways you can support someone with cancer in Aotearoa, from practical home help to accessing financial support.

Financial Help for Cancer Patients

Cancer treatment often disrupts work, increases daily expenses, and strains household budgets. Thankfully, there are a range of support options available:

Government Assistance

• Work and Income New Zealand (WINZ):

  • Jobseeker Support: For those unable to work or working less due to cancer.

  • Supported Living Payment: For people permanently or severely restricted in their ability to work.

  • Sole Parent Support: For single parents unable to work due to their health.

  • Use WINZ’s online tool to check eligibility and apply.

• National Travel Assistance: For patients who must travel long distances for treatment, Te Whatu Ora offers help with travel and accommodation costs.

• KiwiSaver: If facing serious illness or significant financial hardship, you may be able to withdraw some KiwiSaver funds—contact your provider for details.

• Mortgage Holidays: Some banks offer a temporary pause or reduced payment on mortgages for those undergoing treatment—check with your lender.

Cancer Society and Charitable Grants

• Cancer Society of New Zealand: Offers small grants to help with urgent financial needs, such as transport to treatment, living costs, and other essentials. Contact your local branch or call the helpline at 0800 CANCER (226 237).

• Specific Cancer Charities: Bowel Cancer NZ provides food and petrol vouchers for patients in financial hardship. Sweet Louise allocates annual vouchers for household help, meals, and related services—especially for those with metastatic breast cancer.

Advocacy and Extra Support

• Beneficiary Advocates: If you find applying for support daunting, beneficiary advocacy services can guide, support, and even attend WINZ meetings with you.

Home Help and Practical Support

Many cancer patients need help with everyday life—shopping, household chores, meals, and personal care. Here are some pathways to getting this support:

Government-Funded Home Support

• Health New Zealand (Te Whatu Ora): Provides needs assessments and may fund support with personal care, house cleaning, meal preparation, and more for those who qualify.

• Whaikaha – Ministry of Disabled People: May offer additional assistance for those with complex needs.

• Family or whānau can sometimes be paid carers for their loved one.

Community and Volunteer Services

• Cancer Society Auckland/Northland: Offers practical help like transport to treatment, accommodation (Domain Lodge), volunteer support, and group programmes for coping skills.

• Community Cancer Nursing: Specialist nurses provide at-home care and medication assistance for those going through treatment.

• Many local charities and agencies also match volunteers to people needing help at home.

Charitable Support and Respite

• Sweet Louise: Provides vouchers for cleaning, meals, and other services for those with advanced breast cancer.

• TimeOut Charity: Connects families living with incurable cancer to free holiday home accommodation for respite stays.

• Look Good Feel Better: Offers free classes to help manage the visible impact of treatment and boost wellbeing.

Emotional and Social Support

Cancer is not just a physical illness. Support from others is vital.

• Counselling: The Cancer Society and Bowel Cancer NZ offer free or subsidised counselling services for patients and their families.

• Peer Support Groups: Many organisations (e.g., Breast Cancer Foundation NZ, Prostate Cancer Foundation, Melanoma NZ) run support groups, meetings, and online forums to connect you with others in similar situations.

• Dedicated Helplines: The Cancer Society operates a phone helpline for information and support (0800 CANCER).

Making Life Easier: Everyday Practicalities

• Help with Meals: Meal delivery services, either privately or funded by charities, are a huge help.

• Transport: Volunteer drivers via the Cancer Society or help with petrol costs from some charities.

• Childcare: WINZ may help with childcare costs; local community groups sometimes provide informal support.

• Equipment: If needed, Health New Zealand/Te Whatu Ora can assess for, and provide, special equipment for home safety.

How to Get Started

If you or someone you know needs support:

• Contact the Cancer Society (0800 226 237): For information on all kinds of help available, and to connect with local providers.

• Speak up - don’t wait: Many services require referrals or assessments, but most are prompt and compassionate.

• Let friends and family help: If you’re a loved one, offering specific practical help (meals, errands, childcare) is often most meaningful.

Helpful Agencies and Contacts

Agency/Service	Type of Support	Contact Info
Cancer Society NZ	Financial, accommodation, emotional	0800 226 237
Work and Income NZ (WINZ)	Benefits, financial support	0800 559 009
Bowel Cancer NZ	Food, petrol vouchers, nurse advice	Via website
Breast Cancer Foundation NZ	Grants, counselling, nurse advice	0800 902 732
Sweet Louise	Vouchers for household help	Via website
Look Good Feel Better	Wellbeing classes	See website
TimeOut Charity	Free respite accommodation	See website

For more detailed information, always visit the official websites or speak to your medical team.

Supporting someone with cancer is about practical care and kindness. From financial help to a cooked meal or simply a listening ear, every gesture counts.

Let’s come together to help those facing cancer feel supported every step of the way.

For further reading and support:

• Cancer Society NZ

• Bowel Cancer New Zealand

• Work and Income NZ (WINZ)

• Te Aho o Te Kahu – Cancer Control Agency

Care Package for Cancer Patient

Buy Now