CAB – A helping hand

Citizens Advice Bureau is an independent, non-profit, non-governmental organisation with 80 branches and more than 2000 volunteers across Aotearoa New Zealand. Each branch is powered by trained local volunteers from diverse backgrounds, branch managers, regional and national governance boards, and a national office in Wellington.

Our Hibiscus Coast branch operates from the Ōrewa Community Centre, staffed by 25 trained volunteers and a branch manager. We are one of 31 branches across Auckland and one of the CAB North Shore’s seven merged branches.

CAB helps people of all ages and backgrounds with a wide range of issues. Advice is available in person, by phone, via our website cab.org.nz, by online chat, and at regular specialist clinics. No appointment is needed for CAB help – just visit or phone our local branch on 09 426 5338, call our national helpline at 0800 367 222, or explore cab.org.nz

In essence, we:

• Provide free, confidential, impartial, and non-judgemental advice
• Help people understand their rights and empower them to resolve problems
• Connect people with community and government services that can help them
• Advocate for positive social change and fair laws, policies and services at local and national levels.

We aim to empower clients to make their own decisions and to resolve disputes and problems. By helping others, we contribute to the wellbeing of our communities and are a voice for positive social change.

CAB volunteers across New Zealand had 328,000 client interactions last year, including 218,000 in-depth interviews and quick-reference queries. An additional 110,000 clients attended specialised clinics run in partnership with external organisations. Our cab.org.nz website had 2.9 million visits last year. 

Locally, the Hibiscus Coast branch supported 3320 clients and hosted 500 attendees at fortnightly and monthly legal, family relationship, and budgeting clinics.

CAB is a volunteer-driven charitable organisation. Last year, volunteers contributed around 48,000 hours of free service.

Nationally, CAB receives funding from government agencies such as the Ministries of Social Development, Justice, Business, Innovation & Employment, Inland Revenue, and Internal Affairs, and from the NZ Lottery Grants Board.

Local branches rely heavily on local Council and Lottery grants, and philanthropic donations. We are especially grateful to Auckland Council for investing $2 million annually to support the 31 Auckland branches – serving 1.8 million residents and 430,000 families across Tamaki Makaurau Auckland.

How to contact us

Visit the Ōrewa Community Centre, 40 Ōrewa Square, Monday to Friday, 9.30am to 3pm. Attend our weekly clinic at Whangaparāoa Library, Wednesdays from 10am to 12pm. Call: 09 426 5338 (leave a message if we’re unavailable) Email: hibiscuscoast@cab.org.nz Info: www.cab.org.nz