Media release 19 June 2003

Name change for Pakuranga Citizens Advice Bureau

25 ½ years after being established, Pakuranga Citizens Advice Bureau is to become Pakuranga-Eastern Manukau Citizens Advice Bureau.

The name change is to better reflect its catchment area which extends from Panmure Bridge through Howick, Botany, Whitford and Beachlands to Maraetai. Otara has the only other CAB on the eastern side of Manukau City.

The bureau has also recently extended its telephone query hours. Calls will now be responded to from 9am to 5pm Monday to Friday, previously to 4pm. Saturday hours of 9.30am - 11.30am remain the same.

Manager, Dorothy Gaunt, says that local information on the whole eastern Manukau area is available from the Bureau, as well as an enormous amount of information on all aspects of life in New Zealand, such as consumer problems, setting up in business, dealing with troublesome neighbours, finding a counsellor/doctor/childcare centre/support group etc, or tenancy issues.

She suspects that many residents have not been aware that this CAB is the appropriate one for their needs because of the previous Pakuranga name. She is hoping the new name will encourage more residents to use the service, particularly those who are new to the greater Auckland area.

As well as the general information service, Pakuranga-Eastern Manukau CAB offers free clinics for legal advice, tax information, immigration queries, and problem gambling. Every morning there is an Asian speaker on duty. Strict adherence to confidentiality is maintained, and the emphasis is on providing a personal non-judgemental service to anyone who requests it.

ENDS

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