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Welcome to the FAQs page for ShorePath Support Services. Here you'll find answers to common questions about our services, approach, and how we can help you navigate complex systems. If you don't find what you're looking for, please don't hesitate to reach out to us directly.

Frequently asked questions

Find answers to common questions about ShorePath Support Services. We're here to help you understand how we can support you, your whānau, or your small business in Te Tai Tokerau.

What are the main types of problems or tricky situations you usually help individuals, whānau, or small businesses in Te Tai Tokerau with?

I support individuals, whānau, and small businesses with a wide range of tricky or stressful situations, especially when systems feel confusing or hard to navigate. Some of the most common things I help with include:

  • Understanding letters, forms, and official documents
  • ACC processes, including claims, reviews, paperwork, and communication
  • MSD and Work & Income tasks, such as appointments, obligations, and gathering documents
  • Working for Families applications or updates, especially when income or family circumstances change
  • Child Support questions, assessments, and updating details
  • IRD and tax basics, including myIR, refunds, and sorting out errors
  • Education and disability‑service communication, meetings, reports, and support options
  • Hospice or health‑related admin, organising information and preparing for conversations with services
  • General paperwork overwhelm, breaking big tasks into simple steps
  • Small‑business admin, including emails, organisation, and basic systems

My role is to make these situations clearer, calmer, and easier to manage, so people feel supported and confident about their next steps.

What makes ShorePath Support Services' approach different or special compared to other support options out there?

ShorePath Support Services is different because the support is calm, personal, and shaped by real lived experience. Instead of rushing people through forms or giving generic advice, I take the time to understand what’s going on, break things down into simple steps, and walk alongside people at a pace that feels safe. My approach is trauma‑informed, steady, and focused on helping people feel heard, respected, and genuinely supported — not judged or overwhelmed.

What makes ShorePath special is the combination of compassion and practical clarity. People don’t just get help with paperwork or systems; they get someone who listens, explains things in plain language, and stays with them until things make sense. It’s support that feels human, grounded, and reassuring — especially for those who have felt lost or alone in the process.

When someone first reaches out for your support, what's the typical first step or how does the process usually begin?

When someone contacts me for support, the process usually begins with a free, no‑pressure chat. This can be by email, message, or a short phone call — whatever feels easiest for them. We talk about what’s going on, what they’re finding tricky, and what kind of help they’re looking for.

From there, I get a sense of their situation and suggest a simple next step. Sometimes that’s gathering a few documents, sometimes it’s reading a letter together, and sometimes it’s just slowing everything down so things feel less overwhelming.

The goal of this first step is to make people feel heard, supported, and clear about how we can move forward together.

What are some common worries or questions people often have before they decide to work with you?

Many people feel unsure or a bit anxious before they decide to contact me. Some of the most common worries or questions I hear are:

  • “Is my situation too small or too messy to bother someone with?”
  • “What if I’ve done something wrong and don’t even know it?”
  • “Will I be judged for not understanding this?”
  • “What if I can’t explain things properly?”
  • “Is it okay that I’m feeling overwhelmed by something that seems simple?”
  • “Will this cost a lot?”
  • “Do I have to have everything organised before I reach out?”
  • “What if I’ve left things too late?”

These worries are completely normal. Most people come to me feeling unsure, stressed, or embarrassed about something — and that’s exactly why ShorePath exists.

My role is to create a calm, supportive space where people can bring whatever they have, however it looks. There’s no judgement, no pressure, and no expectation to have everything sorted. We simply start where they are and work things out together.

Still have questions?

If you didn't find the answer you were looking for, don't hesitate to reach out. We're here to help!