Citizens Advice Bureau Auckland City (CABAC) and Citizens Advice Bureau Pakuranga Eastern-Manukau (CAB PEM)

The members of both incorporated societies Citizens Advice Bureau Auckland City (CABAC) and Citizens Advice Bureau Pakuranga Eastern-Manukau (CABPEM) have voted to amalgamate the two entities.

CABAC operates 10 branches (inside the former Auckland City Council Boundary). CABPEM operates two sites (Pakuranga and Botany).

CABPEM Chair Richard Ison said CABPEM approached CABAC to consider the proposal due to their concern about the future viability of the entity.

“We considered that CABPEM coming under the CABAC umbrella would mean the 150,000 plus residents in our part of the city will continue to be served by a CAB. The merged entity will provide for shared administration costs, training and professional development for volunteers.”

CABAC Chair Robyn Gray said, that CABAC has operated since 1999 as a merged entity and while the shared costs made good financial sense, the quality of service to Aucklanders was its highest priority.

“We have trained facilitators who deliver our training and ongoing learning to our more than 300 volunteers. Each branch within CABAC still retains its unique culture as our volunteers come from the local area and understand their local communities. This will continue under the amalgamated entity.”

“CABAC is committed to ensuring that CAB serves its communities and acknowledges that Auckland Council our major funder wishes to see CAB working together as a region as much as possible.”

It is intended that the amalgamation will be completed in October.

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