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The Citizens Advice Bureau is a well-established essential service in the community, providing helpful information and advice to residents free of charge. PJ TAYLOR talks with its leader in east Auckland during the Citizens Advice Bureau’s national Awareness Week.
Where were you born and grew up?
Melbourne, so Aussie born, and New Zealand bred. I grew up in firstly in Masterton, then moved to Mangere, Glendowie, then to Glen Innes before heading over the ditch to Sydney. I now live in the lovely Half Moon Bay.
How long have you been the manager of the Citizens Advice Bureau Pakuranga-Eastern Manukau?
I’m in my 12th year. The last year has been a challenge as we faced cuts to our funding from the Auckland Council. A petition on our website raised 20,000-plus signatories and was presented to our mayor, who decided our community service was too important and funding was continued albeit somewhat reduced.
What does a typical day at the CAB look like?
Every day is different from the previous. We are open from 9.30am to 4pm each day at Pakuranga Plaza, and 9.30am to 1pm at Botany in the town centre. Our interviewers provide information and advice on a wide range of topics including employment, legal, tenancies, immigration, consumer, relationships, and community groups. We have an extensive database, and we help people know their rights and work for social change. At present I manage 59 interviewers alongside my Botany manager Megan Douglas, who works a 3.5-hour shift. They are the backbone of our organisation and without them we would not exist. Some work additional hours as mentors to our new trainees supporting them to become accredited members. Others do peer reviewing (checking our enquiries), participate as board members, or look after our social media sites. They bring a variety of skills and abilities and range in ages from 22 to 85.
It’s CAB Awareness Week. What are you highlighting?
This is a time for putting a spotlight on CAB to celebrate our mahi (work) and highlight to the community the help and services we offer. This year’s theme is “Awhi mai, awhi atu – empowered together”. It reflects the role of the CAB as a place where the community comes together in the spirit of receiving and giving support and being empowered together. This idea of supporting and empowering people, both individually and collectively, is something we know lots about at CAB. It reflects our organisation’s aims – to empower individuals and whānau through our service of advice and information and to empower communities by advocating for fairer laws and policies based on what we learn from our clients. If you need help and don’t know who to ask, or if you would like to give back to the community through volunteering with an organisation that helps people individually and collectively, CAB could be the place for you.
What can clients expect at the CAB?
We listen and ask questions to make sure we understand your situation. We’ll research the issues to find relevant information and offer options. If you need help to take the next steps, we will support you to do this. If we can’t help your directly, we’ll find someone who can. Our aim is to help clients know their rights and feel empowered to act on them.
How do you feel about the closure of Salvation Army East City Corps?
It’s very sad not only for the staff and volunteers but also now there is one less foodbank to support local families in need and for those facing financial hardship.
Has there been an increase for CAB services in general over the past few years since Covid?
Yes, and specifically for enquiries relating to employment issues, immigration and migrant exploitation, counselling, and of course more recently those experiencing financial hardship. We work closely with Pakuranga and Howick Budgeting Service and provide clinic advisers for taxation, legal, immigration and counselling.
Where are some of your favourite places and things to do in east Auckland?
I live near the Half Moon Bay Marina and enjoy walking my fur-baby in this local area. I love supporting local restaurants and visiting our Howick Village businesses especially enjoying movies at the Monterey Theatre. A favourite fix I enjoy is a cheese scone from Rombus Café.
If there was one thing in New Zealand society you’d like changed, what would it be?
Our local area has changed so much with housing intensification and sadly many show a distinct lack of interesting designs. Street parking has also become an issue in many cases narrowing manoeuvrability.
