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Legal and Immigration Support

Read your visa conditions and ensure you understand them.

If you come to New Zealand on an Accredited Employer Work Visa, your visa links you with the employer who offered you the visa application, for the length of your visa.

If your situation changes, you must apply to vary the conditions of your visa or apply for a Job Change or apply for a new visa.

Due to different circumstances, you may need the support of a lawyer or to clarify doubts related to your visa or immigration status.

Here are a few organisations you can approach with your queries:

Citizens Advice Bureau (CAB)

They provide free, independent information and advice.  Volunteers help people know and understand their rights and responsibilities and find community services.  It is open Monday to Friday, from 10am to 1pm.  You'll find them based in Community House (44 Cass Street, Ashburton) their phone number is 03 928 8761.

The CAB has introduced a new language support system to help clients use their services in their preferred language. You can use this service from anywhere in the country by calling CAB or visiting your nearby bureau.

They hold an Immigration Clinic the first Friday of the month from 12 to 2 pm at Community House (44 Cass Street) To book an appointment contact them at 0508 546 3639.

Anglican Advocacy Ashburton

Anglican Advocacy offers personalised support for stressful events, with volunteer advocates ready to help you take action and regain control. Their advocacy approach is tailored to the individual's needs. Support requests are addressed through a four-step process.

  1. The coordinator will contact you to assess your need.
  2. An advocate will be assigned to you and will meet to learn your story.
  3. The advocate will help you prepare for the situation you are facing and attend any meetings or appointments as your support person.
  4. If needed, they will follow-up with a debrief to plan what to do next.

Anglican Advocacy can support with issues covering, Work and Income, employment, tenancy, family disputes, ACC, health practices and organisations. Any meeting or appointment where you need a support person.

They are based at Community House (44 Cass Street) or contact them via email advocacyashburton@anglicancare.org.nz or phone 027 220 0400

Community Law Canterbury (CLC)

Community Law Canterbury is a non-profit organization dedicated to reducing and eliminating barriers to legal access. They offer accessible, high-quality legal assistance to individuals in Canterbury and the West Coast who encounter obstacles in obtaining justice.

CLC offer appointments during the day face-to-face, phone or zoom.

Their address, phone number and hours or work are:

198 Montreal St (corner of Walker St) Christchurch

9.30am – 7.00pm Monday to Thursday and 9.30am to 12.30am Saturday.

To book an appointment or to seek information over the phone, call 03 3666 870.