Bureau now first port of call for city's new migrants

Rotorua's Citizens Advice Bureau is thrilled to be among 30 bureaux across the country chosen by Immigration New Zealand to be the new face-to-face information service for new migrants.

Rotorua manager Jane Eynon-Richards said her team was excited about the opportunity to help new migrants settle in the city.

"We are well placed to provide this service with over 35 years of experience in providing information and advice to people coming to the bureau.

"This builds on our existing service and makes good use of the fact that we are already providing a quality information service in our community, as recognised by our Trustpower Community Award won last week," she added.

"Being chosen to provide this service recognises that the CAB is a trusted place for people to come to get information and advice.

"It will extend our reach and profile with new migrants and supports us to be even more responsive to our changing community.

"We will be working closely with other community groups who provide services and support to newcomers to ensure migrants are welcomed and integrated into their new home with the options and information they need to make the most of Rotorua."

Mrs Eynon-Richards said she acknowledged the great foundational work done by the previous Settlement Support co-ordinator - Heather McAllister - and the Settlement Network Support Group in Rotorua and hoped to build on the relationships forged by them with migrant groups in Rotorua.

"The city is indebted to them for their initiatives and foresight and the services they developed."

She said the resources enabled by the new contract would add to the bureau's service which now included a face-to-face service, email inquiries, and free 0800 calls from cellphones.

Rotorua CAB is located in Community House, 1115 Haupapa St and the office opening hours are 9am to 5.30pm.