CAB Language Link  

CAB Language Link is a service provided by the New Zealand Association of Citizens Advice Bureaux. It offers free, confidential information, support, advocacy and advice in 26 languages. 

Language need not be a barrier to people who would like to seek assistance from Citizens Advice Bureaux (CAB), but who lack confidence or skills in the English language. CAB has a diverse volunteer base, which includes bilingual and multilingual volunteers. If a local bureau cannot directly assist a client due to language difficulties, the bureau can access CAB Language Link on a client's behalf.

Languages

Languages available include: Amharic, Arabic, Bengali, Burmese, Cantonese, Dari, English, Farsi, French, Hindi, Japanese, Khmer, Kirundi, Kiswahili, Korean, Kurdish, Laos, Mandarin, Portuguese, Russian, Somali, Spanish, Taiwanese, Thai, Urdu and Vietnamese. Click here to check the roster of when languages are available.

Clients wishing to use the CAB Language Link service should contact their closest CAB. To find your nearest CAB please click here.

Services offered

 

Services offered by the experienced CAB Language Link interviewers include the following:

 

·         information, support, advocacy and advice in your own language on all settlement needs, queries and issues

·         use of a telecommunication system that can have several parties participate in the same conversation

·         help to identify the appropriate person(s) or agency to assist with complex issues.

 

Information available

 

Some of the areas that CAB Language Link can provide free information, support, advocacy and impartial advice on are:

 

·         Immigration e.g. assistance with different types of visas, citizenship criteria

·         Income Support and Benefits e.g. detailed information about benefits/assistance available from Work and Income NZ

·         Taxation e.g. information about obtaining an IRD Number and the NZ tax system

·         Housing and Tenancy e.g. information about laws relating bond money, flatting agreements

·         Employment Issues e.g. connecting to relevant sources to find a job, how to address problems with your employer, minimum wages

·         Education and Training e.g. help to update your CV, information about local training providers and NZ qualifications

·         Health e.g. your rights as a resident or work permit holder

·         Family Issues and Counselling e.g. any type of family or individual problem with referral pathways to suitable agencies

·         Consumer Rights e.g. what to be aware of before buying a second hand car

·         General Matters e.g. payment of bills, how to get telephone connected, contacts for local recreational activities.