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South Auckland > Mental Health & Addictions >

Pongarosa Equestrian Centre - Therapy and Wellbeing

Mental Health Service, Community Health, Sexual Harm

Today

9:00 AM to 8:00 PM.

Description

Pongarosa is a wellbeing centre offering equine therapy and a range of experiential and holistic support services for children, adolescents, and adults.
As reflected in our services, we utilise horses, animals, groups, and creative modalities.

Staff

Chantelle Hurst MNZAC - Mental Health Counsellor and EAGALA Equine Therapist
Sonja - Director of Pongarosa

Ages

Child / Tamariki, Youth / Rangatahi, Adult / Pakeke, Older adult / Kaumātua

How do I access this service?

Contact us

Fees and Charges Categorisation

Fees apply, Partial fees apply, Free

Hours

9:00 AM to 8:00 PM.

Mon – Sun 9:00 AM – 8:00 PM

Public Holidays: Open on all public holidays The following public holidays differ to standard opening hours: Waitangi Day (6 Feb, 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM), Good Friday (3 Apr, 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM), Easter Sunday (5 Apr, 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM), Easter Monday (6 Apr, 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM), ANZAC Day (observed) (27 Apr, 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM), King's Birthday (1 Jun, 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM), Matariki (10 Jul, 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM), Labour Day (26 Oct, 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM), Auckland Anniversary (1 Feb, 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM).

Languages Spoken

English, Dutch

Programmes

Equine Therapy and Equine Assisted Wellbeing Sessions

Animal Assisted Therapy uses the human-animal bond in goal directed therapy interventions as an essential part of the treatment process. AAT can support you with: • Psychophysiological Health • Anxiety and Distress • Pain Management • Dementia • Depression • Emotion Regulation and Emotion Recognition • Motivation • Self-Esteem Enhancement • Children with Developmental Disorders • Children and Adolescents with Emotional and Behavioural Problems • Trauma • Physically Disabled Persons • Substance Abuse Working with horses can help individuals learn how to recognise and manage their emotions, leading to better emotional control and awareness. Equine therapy is a somatic therapy that supports the mind-body connection. Our group work is designed for ACC-sensitive claims and is trauma-informed, working with PTSD and trauma. This is based in Pukekohe Puni. Individual Equine therapy is based in Tuakau, Franklin and designed for both ACC sensitive claims clients and private clients wanting to work on their mental health, including anxiety and depressive symptoms.

Programme Areas

Mental health

Programme Type

Counselling and support

Regions

South Auckland, East Auckland, North Auckland, West Auckland, Waikato, Central Auckland

Age Groups

Child / Tamariki, Youth / Rangatahi, Adult / Pakeke, Older adult / Kaumātua

Referral Types

Self referral, GP

Referral Process

Contact us: 021 726 731 or 

Description

Animal Assisted Therapy uses the human-animal bond in goal directed therapy interventions as an essential part of the treatment process. 

AAT can support you with:
• Psychophysiological Health • Anxiety and Distress • Pain Management • Dementia • Depression • Emotion Regulation and Emotion Recognition • Motivation • Self-Esteem Enhancement • Children with Developmental Disorders • Children and Adolescents with Emotional and Behavioural Problems • Trauma • Physically Disabled Persons • Substance Abuse

Working with horses can help individuals learn how to recognise and manage their emotions, leading to better emotional control and awareness. Equine therapy is a somatic therapy that supports the mind-body connection.
Our group work is designed for ACC-sensitive claims and is trauma-informed, working with PTSD and trauma. This is based in Pukekohe Puni.
Individual Equine therapy is based in Tuakau, Franklin and designed for both ACC sensitive claims clients and private clients wanting to work on their mental health, including anxiety and depressive symptoms.

Counselling and Support

Counselling Sessions are designed for the individual, whether you just want to talk or try creative therapy, animal therapy, mindfulness and many more techniques. Plans are created using the methods, tools, and techniques that research has shown to produce positive and successful results. Be your best self, alone and with others, and create a life that you want to live in with confidence and support from a fully qualified professional. Website: Creative Life Healing

Programme Areas

Mental health

Programme Type

Counselling and support

Regions

South Auckland

Age Groups

Child / Tamariki, Youth / Rangatahi, Adult / Pakeke, Older adult / Kaumātua

Referral Types

Self referral, GP

Referral Process

Contact us: Creativelifehealing@outlook.com

Description

Counselling Sessions are designed for the individual, whether you just want to talk or try creative therapy, animal therapy, mindfulness and many more techniques. Plans are created using the methods, tools, and techniques that research has shown to produce positive and successful results. Be your best self, alone and with others, and create a life that you want to live in with confidence and support from a fully qualified professional.
Website: Creative Life Healing

Services Provided

Counselling

Counselling and support led by Creative Life Healing Counselling Services Website: Creative Life Healing

Counselling and support led by Creative Life Healing Counselling Services 
Website:  Creative Life Healing

Wellness / healthy lifestyle

Supporting wellbeing and living a healthy lifestyle.

  • Mindfulness and mental wellbeing

Supporting wellbeing and living a healthy lifestyle.

Rape and sexual abuse counselling (ACC sensitive claims)

ACC Sensitive Claims groupwork for victims and survivors of sexual harm. Creative expressive therapy groupwork Equine assisted creative expressive therapy groupwork Equine therapy groupwork Individual and adjunct therapy options

ACC Sensitive Claims groupwork for victims and survivors of sexual harm.

  • Creative expressive therapy groupwork
  • Equine assisted creative expressive therapy groupwork
  • Equine therapy groupwork
  • Individual and adjunct therapy options
HALO (Human Assisted Learning Organisation) Programme

HALO is a community initiative using equine therapy, that collaborates with schools, occupational therapists, and other community professionals such as social workers and counsellors. Read more here

HALO is a community initiative using equine therapy, that collaborates with schools, occupational therapists, and other community professionals such as social workers and counsellors.
Read more here

Community wellbeing support groups

For all ages.

Service types: Wellness / healthy lifestyle, Mindfulness and mental wellbeing.

For all ages.

Equine-assisted team building and group development days

Our programmes are intentionally crafted to strengthen teams, boost wellbeing, foster genuine connections, and inspire lasting leadership growth. Equine-assisted sessions are effective for teams to: Strengthen communication Improve problem-solving skills Build trust and psychological safety Enhance emotional intelligence Learn effective leadership styles Develop mindfulness and regulation skills Increase motivation and resilience Read more here

Service types: Wellness / healthy lifestyle.

Our programmes are intentionally crafted to strengthen teams, boost wellbeing, foster genuine connections, and inspire lasting leadership growth.
Equine-assisted sessions are effective for teams to:

  • Strengthen communication
  • Improve problem-solving skills
  • Build trust and psychological safety
  • Enhance emotional intelligence
  • Learn effective leadership styles
  • Develop mindfulness and regulation skills
  • Increase motivation and resilience

Read more here

Region

South Auckland

Contact Details

9:00 AM to 8:00 PM.

Contact Pongarosa online here
Contact Creative Life Healing here

465 Aka Aka Road
Puni
Pukekohe
Auckland 2678

Information about this location

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Get directions

Street Address

465 Aka Aka Road
Puni
Pukekohe
Auckland 2678

This page was last updated at 2:38PM on February 10, 2026. This information is reviewed and edited by Pongarosa Equestrian Centre - Therapy and Wellbeing.