Waikato Ethnic Family Services Trust (WEFST)

Waikato Ethnic Family Services Trust (WEFST) is a charitable ethnic social service organisation dedicated to the safety, wellbeing, settlement, and long-term empowerment of ethnic, migrant, and refugee-background children, youth, and their families across the Waikato region.

WEFST supports whānau to adapt confidently to life in Aotearoa New Zealand while preserving, nurturing, and celebrating their cultural identities. As Waikato’s primary ethnic child- and family-focused service provider, we offer a wide range of culturally responsive, trauma-informed, and developmentally appropriate services tailored to the diverse needs of the communities we serve.

Our core services include:

Child, Youth, and Family Support

Child-centered social work and safeguarding

Advocacy and navigation for children, youth, parents, and caregivers

Early intervention and family harm prevention

Support for vulnerable, traumatized, and newly arrived families

Therapeutic & Wellbeing Services

Narrative Therapy

ACT (Acceptance & Commitment Therapy)

Play therapy and child-led therapeutic approaches

Movement and dance therapy

Art for healing and expressive arts programs

Emotional regulation and wellbeing education for children and youth

Settlement, Education, and Community Support

Settlement and integration support for new migrants and refugees

Parenting support, family education, and cultural orientation

Education and employment support pathways

Interpreting and multilingual assistance (including Farsi–Dari)

Licensed immigration advice and documentation support

Justice of the Peace services available five days per week

Practical and Life Skills Support

Budgeting and financial capability support

Driving support including learner, restricted, and full license preparation

Defensive Driving Courses (DDC) to strengthen safety and employability

Everyday living and government system navigation

Community Wellbeing, Arts, and Recreation

Family wellbeing programs

Youth development activities and leadership pathways

Family arts, sports, music, cultural workshops, and creative programs

Traditional breadmaking and cultural heritage activities

Community and backyard gardening initiatives promoting food resilience

Pātaka / kai distribution for families experiencing hardship

Community Capacity Building

Volunteer training and placement

Internship opportunities for university and tertiary students

Community-led research and development projects

Collaboration with government agencies, iwi, and community organizations

WEFST is committed to promoting belonging, cultural safety, and equitable access to services. Through holistic support, strong community partnerships, and culturally anchored practice, we help ethnic children, young people, and families to grow, thrive, and participate fully in social, educational, and economic life in Aotearoa New Zealand.

Services

Arts & Culture, Business & Enterprise, Charitable Services, Community Services, Counselling Services, Disability & Special Needs, Education, Employment, Health/Mental Health, Interpreting & Translation, Migrant/Settlement, Older People, Refugee, Research, Social Welfare, Women, Youth