The first information sessions at Queenstown's new welfare hub were fully booked within hours as migrant workers and residents try to figure out their futures.
Local agencies have been grappling with thousands of welfare requests as job losses pile up.
With a second wave of redundancies expected in the coming weeks, there are high hopes the centre can help ease the stress for many across the district.
RNZ tourism reporter Tess Brunton was at the centre's opening day.
