Libraries
Libraries offer books, magazines, audiovisual resources, access to computers and the internet.
Internet access is free at all libraries. Many libraries also offer free WIFI. You can print information from the internet for 20 cents a page.
The library manages a community information database called CINCH where you can find local services and organisations.
Find a library near you:
The Christchurch City Council has a network of 19 libraries in Christchurch. To find a library near you, visit christchurchcitylibraries.com or phone (03) 941 7923 .
How to join the library:
You can join the entire library network, for free, at any of the libraries. To join you need to bring:
your passport or two other forms of identification such as your drivers licence or your bank card. One of your forms of identification should be a photo identification. (If you don’t have any photo identification, please talk to library staff – they will be able to help you.);
proof of your address (e.g. a telephone account or a bank statement which is less than 30 days old);
the name and address of a contact person.
Information centres
The Christchurch Migrants Centre Trust - Te Whare Ta Wahi offers free advice to migrants on appropriate services and community groups. It also houses agencies including:
Interpreting Canterbury,
Canterbury Refugee Council,
Partnership Health Counselling Services, and
Settling-In (MSD).
166 St Asaph Street between Colombo and Durham Streets. Phone: (03) 366 1315 . Website: www.migranthub.org.nz (from March 2012) will be a one-stop-guide for new migrants to Christchurch. It is multi-lingual. It features blogs, forums, fact sheets, how-to guides and a calendar of upcoming events.
Settlement Support New Zealand is a free service for migrants and refugees to Christchurch. It provides information about settlement as a first point of contact for newcomers. It also prints an information pack in English to assist settlement in Canterbury.
To contact the local Settlement Support Coordinator or to order the information pack:
Phone: 03 353 4062
Email: settlementsupport@cecc.org.nz
Website: www.settlementsupport.net.nz is an introduction to aspects of life in New Zealand and Canterbury.
Citizens Advice Bureau (CAB)
Citizen Advice Bureau offers assistance and advice on many issues related to living in New Zealand. This service is free. A telephone service is available in many languages.
Free phone: 0800 367 222 to find the CAB office nearest to you
Website: www.cab.org.nz/
Ethnic groups and churches
Migrants and residents from your country may have formed an association in Christchurch. You can find details of ethnic and cultural associations, as well as faith communities in the CINCH database. To search enter the name of your ethnicity e.g. “Russians” or “Japanese” or “Afghans”.
Christchurch City Council
The Council manages many of the city’s services and facilities such as community and recreation services, streets, water, sewerage, rubbish, building consents, parks, swimming pools, libraries, the Art Gallery and cultural events and festivals.
Christchurch may have different regulations than your previous place of residence. For example, you can not have an open fire outside to burn household waste. Dog owners must register their dogs with the Council.
For information and answers to your questions about things such as fences, rates, noise complaints, trees, fishing, dog owner responsibilities:
Orientation courses
Orientation courses are a good way to get the information you need to settle in Christchurch and to meet other people.
Internet
All Christchurch public libraries offer free access to the Internet. In New Zealand most official information is found on government websites. This information is kept up-to-date and includes contact details.
Useful sites about Christchurch:
www.christchurchnz.com
www.christchurch.org.nz
