Get the information you need
Settlement Support New Zealand is a free service for newcomers to Christchurch. The Settlement Support Coordinator may be contacted for settlement advice and information by phone 353 6877 or email: settlementsupport@cdc.org.nz.
Refugee and Migrant Centre
This is a another point of contact for settlement-related information on employment, housing, health and education. Agencies provide advice, help with employment, orientation classes and assist refugees and migrants to find the right organisation.
Phone 372 9310 or visit the Refugee and Migrant Centre on the corner of Madras and Peterborough Streets (2nd floor).
Libraries
There are 15 libraries in Christchurch. The Central City Library is on the corner of Gloucester St and Oxford Terrace (near Cathedral Square). It is open Monday - Friday, 9am to 9pm and Saturday - Sunday, 10am to 4pm.
You can join the library, for free, at any of the libraries. You will need to bring in TWO forms of valid identifi cation such as driver’s licence, passport, bank card (one must have a photo identification) and ONE recent (not older than 30 days) proof of address. Library staff will help you. You can print information from the internet for 10 cents a page. The library manages a community information database called CINCH, where you can find local services and organisations. The library also manages LocalEye website that brings together many sites of interest to new settlers.
Information centres
- Citizens Advice Bureau, free phone 0800 367 222, Central office at 141 Hereford St, open 9am to 5pm weekdays or look in
 Citizens Advice Bureau. There are two other offices in Christchurch, located in Bishopdale at the Bishopdale Community Centre, Farrington Avenue, and in Hornby at the Hornby Community Care Centre, Goulding Avenue. Citizens Advice staff can help with legal and official information.
- Ethnic Groups and Churches, migrants and residents from your country may have formed an association in Christchurch. All ethnic associations, as well as churches, are listed on a database called CINCH (search under your ethnicity eg Russian or Japanese or Afghan)
- Christchurch City Council, phone 941 8999, 163-173 Tuam St. Manages many of the city’s services and facilities such as community and recreation services, the streets, water, sewerage, rubbish, building consents, parks, swimming pools, libraries and art gallery. Its website is an excellent source of city information.
Orientations
Orientation courses are a good way for you to get information you need to settle in Christchurch and meet other people.
- PEETO Intercultural Development Trust, has 20-hour course in different languages. Phone 377 2890
- Relationship Services, has a one-day course in English. Phone 366 8804
Internet
All public libraries offer free access to New Zealand websites. In New Zealand most official information is found on government websites. This information is kept up to date and will include contact details.
Emergency Services
For all emergencies that pose an immediate threat to safety or have serious health consequences DIAL 111 (free) from any telephone for the police, fire service or ambulance.
State which service you require, and be prepared to give your location, the nature of your emergency and your name. The operator will ask you to wait on the line and may seek to confirm the telephone number from which you are calling.
- For police help in a non-emergency situation call:
Central Police Station, phone 363 7400. Interpreting is available. Visit the police website at www.police.govt.nz for crime prevention safety information in 11 languages.
- For a doctor's help in a non-emergency situation see the health section.
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Human Rights
It is against the law to be discriminated against because of your race, ethnic background, sex, age, disability, religion or family status, amonst other things.
If you feel you have been discriminated against, talk to the Human Rights Commission. They can provide free and independent help to resolve your problem.
Phone 379 2015 or email infoline@hrc.co.nz |
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