Presbyterian Support Upper South Island
Presbyterian Support Upper South Island is a Christchurch-based New Zealand registered charity delivering free counselling, social work, parenting programmes, and elder care across the Upper South Island via Family Works and Enliven, plus a fee-for-service counselling social enterprise, Āwhina Mai, serving over 5,000 vulnerable children, families, and older people annually.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1910
- HeadquartersChristchurch, New Zealand
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2C
- OfferingServices
What Presbyterian Support Upper South Island does
Presbyterian Support Upper South Island (PSUSI) is an independent New Zealand registered charity (CC21765) headquartered in Christchurch that has delivered social services in the Upper South Island for over 115 years, with a stated operational cost base exceeding NZ$10 million per annum. The organisation operates three service lines: Family Works, which provides free counselling, social work, and group programmes for children, young people, and families/whānau (including Tuning in to Kids™ and Teens™, Parenting Through Separation, Family Dispute Resolution, and EMDR trauma therapy); Enliven, which delivers positive-ageing services for kaumātua including day programmes (Tōtara Club, Harakeke Club), the community-based Dementia Mate Wareware HomeShare programme, falls prevention, and Kaiāwhina support; and Āwhina Mai Wellbeing Services, a fee-for-service social enterprise offering individual counselling at $130 per session, couple/supervision sessions at $150, plus corporate wellbeing programmes and parenting courses, with profits redirected to subsidise free community services.
The underlying technology is modest and operationally focused: online self-referral and professional-referral forms across all three service lines, Zoom for remote Āwhina Mai delivery, and donation processing through Blackbaud Merchant Services, Windcave, and Evergiving, backed by Blackbaud Raiser's Edge NXT as the donor management platform. Distribution is delivered through eight physical service centres spanning Christchurch (three sites: Te Korowai HQ on Bealey Avenue, Linwood, Riccarton), Rangiora, Nelson, Blenheim, Greymouth, and Ashburton, supported by 207 volunteers who contributed 25,847 hours in the most recent reporting period. Co-CEOs Barry Helem (Tumu Whakarae Tauiwi) and Kim Manahi (Tumu Whakarae Māori) lead a staff of 150+ alongside a Cultural Navigator, with the organisation formally partnered with Alzheimers NZ, Dementia Canterbury, Tuahiwi Marae, and the Department of Internal Affairs' Survivor Experiences Service following the Royal Commission of Inquiry into abuse in care.
The revenue model is a hybrid of individual donations and bequests (including the Change Champions regular-giving programme), government grants that cover part but not all of operating costs, and earned income from Āwhina Mai's fee-based counselling and corporate programmes. The organisation serves over 5,000 vulnerable New Zealanders annually — including 3,551 whānau/families and 895 kaumātua attending Enliven day programmes — across children, youth, families, and older people, with a stated mission to enhance the mana of tamariki, rangatahi, whānau, and kaumātua to be safe, resilient, and connected.
Presbyterian Support Upper South Island firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Presbyterian Support Upper South Island
- Legal name
- Presbyterian Support Upper South Island
- Website
- https://psuppersouth.org.nz
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1910
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Short description
- Presbyterian Support Upper South Island is a Christchurch-based New Zealand registered charity delivering free counselling, social work, parenting programmes, and elder care across the Upper South Island via Family Works and Enliven, plus a fee-for-service counselling social enterprise, Āwhina Mai, serving over 5,000 vulnerable children, families, and older people annually.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Presbyterian Support Upper South Island industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Community Social Services
- NAICS
- Other Individual and Family Services (624190), Services for the Elderly and Persons with Disabilities (624120), Child and Youth Services (624110), Individual and Family Services (6241)
- SIC
- Services-Social Services (8300), Services-Health Services (8000)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Family & Parenting Support Services (BPAGAEAC)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Disability Services & Independent Living Support (BPAGAEAG), Personal Care & ADL Assistance (bathing, dressing, toileting, mobility) (HLADAGAA)
Keywords
Where Presbyterian Support Upper South Island is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Christchurch
- HQ country
- New Zealand
- HQ region
- Oceania
Offices8 records
Markets served
Presbyterian Support Upper South Island business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2C
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure, Others
Revenue model
- Donations and Charitable Contributions: Individual donations, regular giving (Change Champions), bequests, fundraising activities, and corporate sponsorship provide essential funding to supplement government grants and enable services to continue.
- Government Funding: Government funding meets part of operational costs but does not cover the full expense of service delivery.
- Fee-for-Service (Āwhina Mai): Social enterprise offering paid counselling, therapeutic support, corporate programmes, and professional development. Provides profits that support PSUSI's charitable mission.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Unit Pricing | Per session | $130 per session - Individual counselling |
| Unit Pricing | Per session | $150 per session - Relationship/couple counselling or supervision |
| Subscription | Monthly | $35 per month - Family support |
| Subscription | Monthly | $45 per month - Youth mentoring |
| Subscription | Monthly | $50 per month - Child trauma support |
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels4 records
Marketing channels7 records
Presbyterian Support Upper South Island product offering
Product offeringCore offering
PSUSI delivers free community-based social services across the Upper South Island of New Zealand through three service arms: Family Works (counselling, social work, parenting and youth programmes for children, young people and families/whānau), Enliven (day programmes, falls prevention, counselling and the HomeShare dementia programme for older people/kaumātua), and Āwhina Mai (a fee-paying social enterprise offering therapy, corporate wellbeing programmes, parenting courses and professional supervision). Services are funded through individual donations, bequests, regular giving, government grants, and surplus from Āwhina Mai, with annual service delivery costs exceeding NZ$10 million.
Product overview
Presbyterian Support Upper South Island (PSUSI) is a charity providing free social services across the Upper South Island through two main service arms: Family Works and Enliven. Family Works delivers counselling, social work, and group programmes for children, young people, and families/whānau, including parenting programmes (Tuning in to Kids™, Tuning in to Teens™, Parenting Through Separation, Family Dispute Resolution), youth services, financial assistance, and scholarships. Enliven provides positive ageing services for older people/kaumātua including day programmes (Totara Club, Harakeke Club), falls prevention, counselling, social work, and the HomeShare dementia programme. Additionally, Āwhina Mai is a fee-paying social enterprise offering therapeutic support, corporate wellbeing programmes, professional supervision, and parenting programmes, with all profits supporting PSUSI's free community services. The organisation also operates volunteer programmes and accepts donations through online platforms integrated with Blackbaud payment services.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- Family Works: Family Works provides social services for children, young people and families/whānau including counselling, social work, and support programmes.
- Enliven
- Āwhina Mai Wellbeing Services
Products and services
- Family Works A comprehensive free social service programme supporting children, young people, and families/whānau across the Upper South Island through counselling, social work, parenting programmes, youth services, family dispute resolution, financial assistance and scholarships.
- Enliven
Quantifiable outcome
- 3,551 whānau/families helped to learn, grow and thrive annually
- +4 more outcomes
Companies that use Presbyterian Support Upper South Island
Customer profileNamed customers5 records
Segments5 records
Ideal customer profiles5 records
Presbyterian Support Upper South Island technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Integration4 records
Feature1 record
Presbyterian Support Upper South Island partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Eight partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.
- Alzheimers NZcorePartnership supporting the Dementia Mate Wareware HomeShare programme across the South Island. Helps expand the pilot to support younger-onset dementia and marae-based groups for kaumātua.
- Dementia CanterburycoreLocal agency partnership supporting the HomeShare programme and expanding dementia care services in the community.
- Local Agencies (various)minorPartnerships with various local agencies to support inclusive, responsive, whānau-led care.
- The Warehouse RiccartonminorCorporate supporter who provided resources (materials for poi-making) for Children's Day celebrations in Christchurch.
- Tuahiwi MaraeminorMarae in North Canterbury where volunteers gathered for a day of learning, connection, and deepening ties to the local community.
- Dr Matthew CroucherminorAdvisor who reinforced the value of person and whānau-led care at the heart of the HomeShare programme.
- Little Acre Children's Home Governance GroupcorePSUSI coordinates this governance group with survivors and supporters, giving a national voice to the mahi of supporting survivors of the former Children's Home to find redress and healing.
- Survivor Experiences Service (Department of Internal Affairs)corePSUSI signed an agreement with SES to assist with wellbeing support for survivors of abuse in care. SES records survivor experiences and PSUSI provides accompanying support services.
Scale indicators8 records
Recent moves7 records
Expansion highlights6 records
Presbyterian Support Upper South Island competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Age Concern New Zealand: National federation focused on positive aging, offering falls prevention, elder abuse services, social connection, and visiting programmes — directly comparable to PSUSI's Enliven service line for older New Zealanders.
- Presbyterian Support Northern: Largest of the Presbyterian Support network, serving Auckland and Northland with Family Works, Enliven, and Lifecare services. Highly comparable in service lines, social-enterprise approach, and community-based delivery.
- Alzheimers New Zealand: National dementia advocacy and support organisation that is also a current strategic partner of PSUSI for the HomeShare programme. Highly comparable in dementia-specific support delivery and community-based service model.
- Presbyterian Support Central: Sister Presbyterian Support organisation covering the lower North Island with the same Family Works / Enliven service model, social enterprise (Wellness Matters), and government/donation funding mix — directly comparable in mission, programme structure, and target populations.
- Presbyterian Support South Canterbury: Smaller regional Presbyterian Support organisation operating Family Works and Enliven services in South Canterbury. Closely comparable in scale, rural/regional service mix, and funding model.
Broad incumbents
- Auckland City Mission: Large metropolitan social services charity delivering emergency housing, food support, social work, and health services in Auckland. Comparable in faith-rooted mission, donations and government grant mix, and wrap-around family support, but operates at much larger urban scale.
- Methodist Mission Northern: Established faith-based social services provider in Auckland offering community support, food banks, social housing, and family services — broader in scope but closely comparable in mission, faith-based funding model, and client populations.
- Barnardos New Zealand: National child-and-family focused NGO providing counselling, social work, and family support across NZ. Directly comparable in Family Works-style service delivery to children, young people, and families/whānau.
- Salvation Army New Zealand: Major national faith-based social services network delivering community ministries, addiction and family services across NZ. Comparable in donation-driven funding model and broad social-service portfolio, but significantly larger and more diversified.
Emerging players
- Lifewise: Auckland-based community services provider (part of Methodist Mission) delivering home support, social housing, and disability services with a strong community-enterprise funding model — partial overlap with PSUSI's elder and disability support lines.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks5 records
Key highlights6 records
Customer concentration
Presbyterian Support Upper South Island social profiles
Digital presencePresbyterian Support Upper South Island compliance and trust
Trust signalCompliance2 records
Presbyterian Support Upper South Island financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Presbyterian Support Upper South Island leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles10 records
Presbyterian Support Upper South Island subsidiaries and ownership
Company hierarchySubsidiaries3 records
Presbyterian Support Upper South Island funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Presbyterian Support Upper South Island M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Presbyterian Support Upper South Island
What does Presbyterian Support Upper South Island do?
PSUSI delivers free community-based social services across the Upper South Island of New Zealand through three service arms: Family Works (counselling, social work, parenting and youth programmes for children, young people and families/whānau), Enliven (day programmes, falls prevention, counselling and the HomeShare dementia programme for older people/kaumātua), and Āwhina Mai (a fee-paying social enterprise offering therapy, corporate wellbeing programmes, parenting courses and professional supervision). Services are funded through individual donations, bequests, regular giving, government grants, and surplus from Āwhina Mai, with annual service delivery costs exceeding NZ$10 million.
Is Presbyterian Support Upper South Island a public or private company?
Presbyterian Support Upper South Island is a private company. It is classified as nonprofit foundation owned and is currently operating.
When was Presbyterian Support Upper South Island founded?
Presbyterian Support Upper South Island was founded in 1910. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is Presbyterian Support Upper South Island based?
Presbyterian Support Upper South Island is headquartered in Christchurch, New Zealand, in the Oceania region.
How does Presbyterian Support Upper South Island make money?
Three revenue lines are on record. Donations and Charitable Contributions are the primary driver. The others are government Funding and fee-for-Service (Āwhina Mai).
Who are Presbyterian Support Upper South Island's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Age Concern New Zealand, Presbyterian Support Northern, Alzheimers New Zealand, Presbyterian Support Central and Presbyterian Support South Canterbury. Broad incumbents are Auckland City Mission, Methodist Mission Northern, Barnardos New Zealand and Salvation Army New Zealand. Lifewise is listed as an emerging player.
Does Presbyterian Support Upper South Island have an API?
No public API is recorded for Presbyterian Support Upper South Island.
What industry is Presbyterian Support Upper South Island in?
Presbyterian Support Upper South Island's product category is Community Social Services. Its primary akta.pro industry code is BPAGAEAC, Family & Parenting Support Services, with a secondary code of BPAGAEAG, Disability Services & Independent Living Support. Its NAICS code is 624190 and its SIC code is 8300.