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- By Pukekohe Citizens’ Advice Bureau
Pop in and say hi this National Volunteer Week
Nau mai, haere mai. At Pukekohe Citizens’ Advice Bureau (CAB), located at 3 Hall Street,
we’re here to offer a warm welcome and support – whether you phone us, email or walk
through the door.
At CAB, our free service helps people from all walks of life navigate many of life’s questions
and roadblocks: housing, employment and consumer rights, parenting and separation, immigration, motor vehicles, engaging with government agencies and much more. We also
offer a free legal clinic fortnightly on Thursday afternoons, currently provided by trusted
Tuakau lawyer Margaret Rice of David Rice & Associates.
Pukekohe CAB has the benefit of being in a nationwide network, while locally managed and
staffed with caring volunteers. We work alongside government agencies and local groups like Mai Lighthouse, referring people to each other regularly, to ensure that we are maximising the potential of services in our community.
Neighbours helping neighbours
The first Citizens’ Advice Bureau service was started in London at the outbreak of World War II, by citizens and for citizens seeking support and information.
Closer to home, the CAB has operated continuously for over 50 years in Papakura, with the
Pukekohe branch bureau opening in 2022. There are some 32 bureaux in Auckland under a
central executive, and about 80 more around the country. Our head office in Wellington
administers our systems, sets our standards and liaises with Parliament.
Be part of our story
A crucial factor in CAB’s long-term effectiveness is the “caring neighbour” effect. When
someone has a challenge that they need to talk through, we are here to be that trusted,
knowledgeable neighbour we all need to turn to. No matter what the backstory might be, we first welcome our clients, accept them and listen – personal interactions that by definition can never be replaced by a database or Google.
If you’d like to offer practical support in your community, come and join our team of friendly volunteers. You get full training as an interviewer, with a nationwide knowledge base and loads of support.
And if you need to talk about a tricky issue that’s on your mind, feel free to drop in or give us a call.
Ph 0800 for cab (0800 367 222) | www.cab.org.nz
