A service offering free advice to Motueka locals has seen more requests about conditions of work than anything else and staff are noticing requests becoming more complex.
Citizens Advice Bureau (CAB) made their free in-person services available to the Motueka community in April.
Since then, information and support around conditions of work has been the number one request that they have received, alongside questions and advice on rental agreements and relationship separations, including assets and childcare.
“We are really pleased to be able to bring our services to Motueka,” says Nelson Tasman CAB manager Lenka Caslavska. “It’s only possible thanks to our amazing volunteers who give up their time to help.”
CAB is a public service that provides free, confidential, and independent information or advice on rights and how to access different legal services. They can assist with an extensive range of problems.
“We have noticed lately that queries are getting more complex, so our face-to-face Motueka service is really helpful instead of people trying to explain things over the phone,” Lenka says.
The organisation is run by 50 highly-trained volunteers from across the region and services can be accessed online, over the phone or at one of their physical locations like Motueka.
The team is operating from Motueka Community House each Monday between 9am and 12pm.
“My wife currently works in Motueka, and I have become aware that there are residents who need Citizen’s Advice help, says volunteer Nigel Jones.
“Some of these people prefer to meet face-to-face rather than ring us, so I’m happy to travel to Motueka to man the bureau on Monday mornings.”
Bill Johnson, also a volunteer, adds that it’s a great service for the local community.
“We have volunteers here and ready to provide the advice people need for the problems they face,” Lenka says.
“People have all kinds of questions; ‘what are my rights’, ‘what are my options’, ‘who can help me’. If you are not sure, ask us, that’s why we are here.”
No appointment is needed, you can just drop in.
Lenka also says that there is no subject or problem that they can’t help with and the problems they have been helping people with recently are: housing and tenancy, employment, consumer rights, immigration, families and relationships, health, education, benefits, money and debt.
And, although it’s call ‘Citizens’ advice, the organisation is there for anyone and everyone, you don’t have to be a citizen to get help from them.
“We’ll listen to you and ask questions to make sure we understand your situation. From there we’ll get relevant information for you and can support you through the next steps. Our aim is to help you know your rights and feel in a position to act on them,” says Lenka.
