• Self Advocacy - This is standing up for one's self.  Anyone can act as his or her own advocate.  It is when a person makes an informed decision about a matter of importance and then takes responsibility for bringing about the change necessary to make that choice a reality.

• Peer Advocacy - takes place when the individual providing the help has been through, or is going through, a similar experience.  This is also known as support advocacy and is often used by support groups

• Best Interest Advocacy - Decisions are made by someone considered to have the best interests of the consumer in mind and/or who is considered to have the knowledge needed to make an informed decision - often on behalf of the consumer.  The consumer may not be part of the decision making process.

• Statutory Advocacy - is where someone is appointed with legal responsibility to represent another such as a welfare guardian.

• Crisis Advocacy - uses a one to one relationship between a paid or unpaid advocate and someone who is at risk of being mistreated or excluded. This is usually a short-term one-off arrangement organised to deal with crisis.

• themselves as people with rights who have the resources to find solutions to their own problems;
• themselves as having skills and strengths;
• advocates as having knowledge and skills that consumers can use;
• advocates as peers and partners in finding solutions and driving change;
• that power structures are complex and partly open to influence.

• Resources person - linking consumers to resources in ways which improve their confidence and solution finding abilities;
• Coach/Mentor - teaching processes and skills, imparting knowledge and information that enable the consumer to retain control of their own concerns and issues.

• positive attitudes about people's dignity, capacities, rights, uniqueness and commonalties;
• creating a culture of 'power with' to reduce power imbalance;
• believing that people are capable of change and growth;
• believing that people are their own best experts;
• the problem is the problem; the person is not the problem.

• validating the complainant's experience;
• acknowledging and addressing structural constraints and social inequalities;
• assisting the complainant to focus on the solution;
• using the complainants resources, experiences, capacities and skills and assisting them to apply these to reaching their own solution to the issues;  
• ensuring any additional resources are made available to the complainant;
• supporting and encouraging the complainant;
• assisting the complainant to explore future possibilities and ways of being;
• measuring progress against the goals set by the complainant;
• evaluating the process used and the advocate's contribution to the solutions achieved;
• ensuring the client has a record of the work carried out.

• harnessing consumer energy and focus at the beginning of the work;
• establishing a clear understanding between consumer and advocate about the purpose of their work together;
• ensuring the work is consumer driven;
• providing a degree of stability, security and clarity when consumers are finding the process difficult or confusing;
• reinforcing that the client's/consumers views and understanding of the situation are crucial to the work being undertaken;
• giving a message of competence to consumers that enables them to move to a solution focus;
• building confidence and belief that change is possible;
• making clear the process of support and reducing consumer concerns and anxiety about seeking help.

Health & Disability Advocacy Service

Available to consumers of health and disability services to provide information free of charge and supportto deal with concerns or complaints related to health and disability issues.

Citizens Advice Bureau

We have a wide coverage throughout New Zealand with over 90 service locations around the country from the far north to Invercargill, in major metropolitan areas and in small, rural communities.

 

In order for a democratic society to function well people need to be able to participate in that society in a meaningful way.  This requires that people know, understand and are able to exercise their rights and obligations.  In our complex modern world, empowerment cannot be achieved by merely having access to information.  Information can be of little use if it is not also accompanied by someone to guide the recipient and help them understand the information, apply it to their situation, and turn that information into action and results.

 

The essence of the CAB service is about promoting knowledge and understanding and providing people with the confidence and support that will enable them to influence the things that affect them. When helping individual clients our aim is not to take over the management of a client’s situation, but instead to work alongside them, helping them to help themselves and providing pathways for resolving their issues.  This way, the client has an opportunity to grow in confidence and to learn.

 

The Citizens Advice service has been designed to be as comprehensive, seamless and accessible as possible and to prevent people in need from discounting themselves from being eligible for our help.  This puts the CAB in the unique position of being able to reach people who would otherwise never be connected with the help services they need, and those who would otherwise fall through the cracks. 

 

The aims of Citizens Advice Bureaux New Zealand (CABNZ) are to:

•  Ensure that individuals do not suffer through ignorance of their rights and responsibilities, or of the services available, or through an inability to express their needs effectively. 
• Exert a responsible influence on the development of social policies and services, both locally and nationally.

The CAB service in New Zealand is about helping people to know and understand their rights and obligations, how to use this information to get the best outcomes, providing people with the confidence and support they need to take action, and working for positive social change within communities and wider society.

• The right to know how your community works, what you are entitled to and what your responsibilities are
• The right to participate in active democracy
• The advancement of health
• The relief of poverty
• The advancement of human rights
•  Their legal rights and responsibilities

• The legislation relevant to their situation
• Which are the Government agencies whose areas of responsibility relate to their situation
• The relevant specialist services in the community
• The community generally; who is out there doing what, who can help them, what support is available, and whether there are other people they can meet who have similar experiences and understand what they are going through 
• The processes, including any government processes, involved in addressing their issues and how to navigate their way through them

 

Phone - 0800 367 222

Community Law

Community Law Centres publish and distribute legal information on a range of different topics.

Public Law

Administrative or Public law regulates relations between the individual and the state.  It protects citizens from arbitrary or unlawful actions by government agencies. Public law ensures that government agencies and state officials do not overstep the limits of the power given to them by Parliament. It also regulates other administrative functions such as the registration of births and marriages and the granting of passports.

Family Law

Family law is an area of law that deals with family issues including the care of children, adult relationships, domestic violence and issues that arise when a family member is incapacitated in some way.  These matters are usually dealt with in the Family Court.

Criminal Law

Criminal law covers matters where state authorities prosecute an individual and which can result in a criminal conviction and sentence.  Most criminal prosecutions are taken by the police but in some circumstances other government agencies can also take action against those accused of committing an offence.

Civil Law, Property and Debt

Civil law, property and debt covers the area of law that relates to the private rights of individuals.  This includes things such as contracts, consumer rights, debt, property rights and tenancy.

Youth and the Law

In most circumstances the law treats children and young people differently from adults.  The law deals specifically with youth in a number of areas including the way young people are dealt with by the criminal justice system, legal ages and entitlements and their legal rights around issues such as employment and consumer law.

Legal Issues for Community Organisations

If your community organisation wants information on legal issues faced by charitable trusts or incorporated societies then click on Keeping It Legal for help and assistance. 

Fact Sheets & Guides

Many community law centres publish legal resources to help members of the public with their legal problems.

This page provides access to these publications or gives information on how these publications can be obtained and at what (if any) cost.

The Legal Services Agency also provides an extensive list of legal resources and publications. 

To find a community law centre in your area, click here.

• Support at Home
• Retirement Housing
• Residential Care
• Community & Other Services

Nationwide health & Disability Advocacy Service

• Disability information and advice
  
• Disability support services
• Interpreted information
• Navigating the system
• Queries and questions