Our Community Partners

Deer to Care partners with a wide range of charities and community organisations across Southland, Otago, and surrounding districts. Through the donation of ethically harvested venison mince, we help these organisations provide nutritious meals and practical support to people experiencing hardship, transition, or vulnerability.

Below is an overview of the organisations we currently support. Each plays a vital role in strengthening community wellbeing.

Family Violence & Whānau Support

  • Gore & Clutha Women’s Refuge

    Provides safe accommodation, advocacy, and community-based support for women and children affected by family violence across the Gore and Clutha districts. The refuge focuses on safety, recovery, and long-term wellbeing during periods of crisis and transition.

  • Te Whare Hou Women’s Refuge – Invercargill

    A kaupapa-driven refuge supporting wāhine and tamariki experiencing family harm in Invercargill and surrounding areas. Te Whare Hou provides safe housing, advocacy, and community support designed to restore dignity, security, and independence.

  • Southland Police Family Harm Response Team (Whāngaia Ngā Pā Harakeke)

    A specialist Police team responding to family harm incidents in partnership with iwi and community agencies. The team focuses on victim-centred, collaborative responses aimed at reducing harm and supporting long-term safety.

Food Security & Community Meals

  • Southland Foodbank Trust

    Supplies food parcels to individuals and families experiencing hardship across Southland. Venison contributes high-quality protein that strengthens the nutritional value of food parcels distributed throughout the region.

  • Dining with Hayz – The Anchorage, Bluff

    A community-led initiative providing shared meals in a welcoming and inclusive environment. Dining with Hayz places equal importance on nourishment and connection, helping build community resilience.

  • Spirit Army Invercargill

    A grassroots outreach group delivering food and practical support directly to people experiencing hardship within the Invercargill community.

  • Salvation Army – Gore, Invercargill & Oamaru

    Provides a wide range of social services including food assistance, emergency relief, budgeting support, and community programmes responding to immediate and longer-term needs.

Community, Faith & Cultural Organisations

  • Gore Baptist Church

    Supports the Gore community through pastoral care, outreach, and practical assistance, including responding to local food needs where appropriate.

  • Elim Community Church Invercargill

    A faith-based organisation providing pastoral care and practical community support to individuals and families experiencing hardship.

  • Intercultural Church

    Supports culturally diverse communities, including migrants and former refugees, through connection, pastoral care, and practical assistance to help people settle and thrive in Southland.

  • Te Whānau o Hokonui Marae Inc

    A community and cultural hub supporting iwi and whānau through kaupapa Māori values, hosting gatherings, programmes, and community support grounded in manaakitanga.

  • Ngā Kete Mātauranga Pounamu Charitable Trust

    Supports education, cultural development, and wellbeing initiatives within Māori communities across Southland.

  • Pacific Island Advisory Charitable Trust

    Provides advocacy, advice, and community-based programmes supporting Pacific peoples and families across Southland.

Youth, Education & Family Services

  • Mataura Youth Centre – The Bunker

    Provides a safe, supportive space for rangatahi through youth development programmes, mentoring, activities, and shared meals.

  • Murihiku Young Parents Learning Centre

    Delivers education, life skills training, and wrap-around support to young parents, strengthening outcomes for both parents and children.

  • Kindergartens and Primary Schools

    Early childhood centres and schools across Southland that support the wellbeing of tamariki and whānau within their communities.

  • Bellyful Invercargill

    A volunteer-led organisation providing free, home-cooked meals to families with babies or young children facing challenging circumstances, particularly those without a strong support network.

  • Tautawhi Whanau Rangatopu Charitable Trust

    Tautawhi Whanau Rangatopu Charitable Trust exists to support and improve outcomes for whānau and tamariki, especially Māori whānau, using a Te Ao Māori and Te Whare Tapa Whā framework (holistic wellbeing across whānau, wairua, hinengaro, tinana).

Health, Wellbeing & Disability Support

  • Multiple Sclerosis Society – Gore

    Provides support, advocacy, and information for people living with multiple sclerosis and related neurological conditions.

  • Cancer Support Group (Southland)

    Offers emotional, practical, and social support to people affected by cancer, including those undergoing treatment, survivors, and their families.

  • Age Concern Southland

    Supports people aged 65 and over through advocacy, information, social connection, and services that promote dignity, independence, and positive ageing.

  • Grey Power Southland

    The regional Southland branch of Grey Power New Zealand, a national advocacy organisation for people aged 50 and over. Locally, Grey Power Southland focuses on advocacy, support services, and member benefits for older residents across Invercargill, Bluff, and the wider Southland region.

Community Health & Rural Services

  • Ohai Medical Centre

    A nurse practitioner–led general practice providing accessible primary healthcare services to the Ohai community.

  • Nightcaps Medical Centre

    A rural primary healthcare provider delivering essential medical services to the Nightcaps community and surrounding areas.

  • Waiau Health Trust

    Delivers health and wellbeing services to rural communities in Western Southland, supporting access to care in remote areas.

Community Development & Support Services

  • South Centre Anglican Care

    Provides community-based support services focused on care, wellbeing, and social connection for vulnerable individuals and families.

  • South Invercargill Urban Rejuvenation Charitable Trust (South Alive)

    A place-based organisation strengthening community wellbeing, resilience, and connection in South Invercargill.

  • Connected Northern Southland

    Helps individuals and families connect with local services across Northern Southland, improving access to support.

  • Northern Southland Community Resource Centre Charitable Trust

    Provides information, advocacy, and community services to strengthen rural communities.

  • Fiordland Community House

    A central hub for social services, advocacy, and community connection in Fiordland.

  • Riverton Community House

    Supports community wellbeing through access to services, information, and social connection in Riverton.

  • Otautau Community Trust

    Supports local initiatives that strengthen community wellbeing and resilience in the Otautau area.

  • Tuatapere Community Support

    A locally based frontline role supporting individuals and families to navigate services and manage everyday challenges in Western Southland.

Financial Capability & Budgeting Support

  • Gore SuperGrans

    Provides free, confidential budgeting advice and financial capability support to individuals and families in the Gore district.

  • Jubilee Budget Advisory Service – SuperGrans Invercargill

    Offers budgeting advice and financial mentoring to help individuals and families manage financial pressure and plan for the future.

Men’s Wellbeing

  • Menz Shed Invercargill

    Provides a safe, practical, and social space for men to connect, share skills, and support one another, particularly those experiencing isolation or life transitions.

    Deer to Care is proud to support these organisations through the donation of locally sourced venison, helping turn an environmental challenge into meaningful community benefit.