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Submissions are rolling in against a proposal to cut funding to Auckland's Citizens Advice Bureau. Auckland Council is currently consulting on a plan to cut the organisation's $2 million in annual funding, as part of a wider effort to curb education and community spending.
Advocates for the mostly voluntary-run service say the loss of funding would sound the death knell for the service and the city's 32 offices would likely be forced to shut by Christmas.
Last year, Auckland's 880 volunteers helped 163,000 people; providing support and informing clients of their rights across a range of everyday issues, including immigration, housing and tenancy problems, benefit entitlements, employment disputes, and relationship issues.
The Auckland Council has a budget deficit of $295 million for the 2023-2024 financial year and is looking to cut $20 million of regional services, such as community and education programmes.
Kathryn talks to Kate Anderson, general manager of the Central Auckland CABs, about their fight to maintain funding.
