Coast and shore CAB hold hands

Last month saw the merger of the Hibiscus Coast Citizens’ Advice Bureau (CAB) with its North Shore counterpart.

The Ōrewa-based CAB is now a branch, along with five North Shore offices.

The organisation is quick to reassure locals that nothing else will change. The office remains in the same location, staffed by the same volunteers, under the same local manager. All interactions with the local organisations that the CAB deals with will also remain exactly the same.

Outgoing chair Brian Sharplin says the merger came about because when the Ōrewa CAB started, 43 years ago, the Hibiscus Coast’s population was around 10,000. Currently, it’s around 60,000 and rapidly growing, forecast to be 180,000 by 2053. This has increased the need for CAB to deliver more services. 

“It is critical that volunteers are updated and trained on all the changes to legislation, social requirements and many other aspects they deal with,” Brian says. “We have managed that within our local office but it is getting harder to continue at the level that is needed. By merging with the North Shore, Hibiscus Coast will have access to centralised training, along with an umbrella governance board over the six branches.”

He says being able to discuss problems and issues with colleagues from other branches will also be helpful.

“This is an exciting step forward to ensure CAB Hibiscus Coast continues to deliver at the highest level providing free advice and guidance to the wider community.”