Council funding halved for Christchurch's Citizens Advice Bureau
Funding cuts are forcing Christchurch's Citizens Advice Bureau to consider scaling back its services.
Three years ago the Christchurch City Council funded about 35 percent of its annual budget, however that funding is now half of what it once was. The organisation aimed to help people with a range of issues, including legal problems, employment issues, family disputes and tenancy concerns. The council itself refers people to the service.
Bureau chairperson Neil Lancaster said if funding cuts continued, the organisation would have to scale back its programmes.
"We appreciate the funding restraints that exist for the Christchurch City Council at the moment," he said.
"But I guess our worry is that on one hand they class us a priority one community group, but at the same time they have halved our funding.
The organisation wanted to expand in the city's east, but that might not be possible.
They operated a "face-to-face" service in Eastgate Mall, as part of a group of similar community groups, and could now only afford to be there once a week.
"If our funding had stayed the same, we could be looking at offering a service there three days a week," he said.
There was strong demand for the bureau's service in the city's east, Mr Lancaster said.
"Sometimes we would go along there about half an hour before we start and there could be two or three people waiting."
RNZ News has approached the Christchurch City Council for comment.
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Scam Alert: Fake information regarding December Bonuses from MSD
The Ministry of Social Development is reporting that fake information is circulating about new ‘December bonuses’ or ‘benefit increases’
If you get suspicious communication, please contact Netsafe.
Poll: Are Kiwis allergic to “exuberance”? 🥝
In The Post’s opinion piece on the developments set to open across Aotearoa in 2026, John Coop suggests that, as a nation, we’re “allergic to exuberance.”
We want to know: Are we really allergic to showing our excitement?
Is it time to lean into a more optimistic view of the place we call home? As big projects take shape and new opportunities emerge, perhaps it’s worth asking whether a little more confidence (and enthusiasm!) could do us some good.
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41.6% Yes
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31.8% Maybe?
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26.6% No
Appeal for information following burglaries: Christchurch
Police investigating a stolen trailer and motorcycles in the Christchurch area are seeking help from the public.
On Monday 15 December, Police received a report that the trailer [pictured] had been stolen sometime overnight on Sunday 14 December, from an address on Kairua Road in Hornby.
The trailer - registration U110C - was then used in a burglary of four motorcycles from an address on Almond Lane, Prebbleton on Monday 15 December.
Police have since located the trailer and are now needing the public’s assistance to try find where the trailer has been or who may have been driving the vehicle towing it.
If you have any information regarding the thefts or the trailers movements from Sunday 14 December, around 4pm, onwards please contact Police.
Information can be provided through 105, either online or over the phone, please use reference number: 251215/1054.
Alternatively, you can make a report anonymously though Crime Stoppers on 0800 555 111, using the same reference number.
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