Citizens Advice Bureau

Free information service open to the public

Do you know your rights as a consumer? Where do you find a sports team to join? Want to know where you stand on tenancy, tax, immigration or education? The Citizens Advice Bureau has all this information and more and they’re ready to help.

Location and hours of operation

CAB Nelson is located in Paru Paru Road, just behind the Palms Motel. It is open from 9am till 4.30pm Monday to Friday, staffed by a dedicated crew of 44 volunteers.

The 'who', 'what' and 'why' of the CAB

There are 90 bureaux throughout New Zealand. Their aim is to ensure that individuals don’t suffer through ignorance of their rights and responsibilities, or of the services a vailable, or through an inability to express their needs.

CAB provides a free, confidential, impartial and non-judgemental information service on a vast range of topics. A high percentage of queries are about consumer rights like what you can do when you get a quote for a job then a contractor charges you more, or when you can return goods to a shop and whether you should be getting a refund or replacement goods.

But the volunteers are well trained in a whole raft of topics and can refer queries ranging from relationship help to health questions, neighbours disputes and more.

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You can help

Chairwoman Jill Kearns says the bureau is always keen to recruit new volunteers to maintain their high level of service. Volunteers have to commit to eight training sessions before starting and need on-going training each month while they serve. They must be available for a minimum of one three hour shift per week. Jill says, “Our volunteers come from all walks of life and no specific skills are required as we provide full training, but an ability to listen, not to judge and enjoying helping people are important attributes.”

How to volunteer

Anyone interested in volunteering needs to apply in writing and attend an interview. Please contact Jill on +64 3 544 8273 for more information.

Some of the training is provided by the Ministry of Consumer Affairs so CAB volunteers are always in touch with the latest information.

CAB serves the region

Around 5000 clients per year seek help from the Nelson CAB and it covers a wide area (from Rai Valley, across to Golden Bay and down to Springs Junction), so many of these are handled by phone. 

Phone the CAB

Outer areas can call toll free on 0800 367 222 while those in Nelson can either visit the office in Paru Paru Road or call +64 3 548 2117.