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Citizens Advice Bureaux in New Zealand

Citizens Advice Bureau (CAB) in New Zealand are a network of separately incorporated charitable organisations who assist the public by providing free and confidential advice. All bureaux are members of Citizens Advice Bureaux New Zealand (CABNZ) who set standards for services and provide management support and information systems.

The twin aims of the bureaux are to:

• ensure that individuals do not suffer through ignorance of their rights and responsibilities, or of the services available, or through an inability to express their needs effectively; and

• exert a responsible influence on the development of social policies and services, both locally and nationally.

The structure and organisation of CAB in New Zealand is based on the United Kingdom Citizens Advice organisation. The first bureau was opened in Ponsoby, Auckland in 1970 and by 2023 had over 80 branches nationwide

CABNZ has a permanent staff who support the branches, maintain the website, cab.org.nz and undertake social policy development work. Each branch has a team of volunteers who deliver the advice service, some branches employ a full or part-time coordinator and other staff.

Funding

The first CAB was established in Ponsonby with funding from Auckland City Council in response to the increasing need within the community for social support, particularly for the migrant communities recently arrived from the pacific islands.