Citizens Advice Bureau Cambridge NZ

📌If your workplace normally shuts down over Christmas and New Year, your employer can make you take annual leave over that time. This is referred to as a closedown period. Your employer needs to give you 14 days' notice of the closedown period.

📌If you have annual leave available, you will have to take the closedown period off as part of your paid annual holiday entitlement. If you do not have paid annual leave available, you could ask your employer whether you can take this time off as paid leave in advance, or unpaid leave.

📌If you are not yet entitled to paid annual holidays at the start of the closedown period (for example, because you have not worked for 12 months continuously with your employer), your employer must give you holiday pay of 8% of your gross earnings up to the start of the closedown period. This also resets your accumulation of annual leave days.

To find out more, visit https://www.cab.org.nz/article/KB00000220

You can apply for Working for Families Tax Credits (WfFTC) through Inland Revenue. WfFTC is a package of payments for people in paid employment who have families.

You can apply in the following ways:

👉 you can use myIR
👉 you can use an online form
👉 you can call Inland Revenue on 0800 227 773.

When you apply for WfFTC you will need to provide IRD numbers for you, your partner, and all children in your care.

To find out more, visit: https://www.cab.org.nz/article/KB00037653



[Image description: Person holding child up by the arms playfully. Text reads "How do I apply for Working for Families Tax Credits?"]

👉 As an employee (rather than an independent contractor), you have minimum sick leave entitlements that apply whether you are full-time, part-time, or casual. The minimum amount of paid sick leave you can get each year is 10 days.

You are eligible for sick leave once you have worked:

🤧 continuously for your employer for six months or

🤧 for your employer for six months, for an average of 10 hours per week and at least one hour each week or 40 hours each month.

You can speak to your employer if you get sick before you become entitled to sick leave and find out what your options are.

To find out more, visit: https://www.cab.org.nz/article/KB00000486



[Image description: Person blowing their nose into a tissue. Text reads "How much sick leave are full-time, part-time and casual employees entitled to?"]

The Family Court Navigator will be here in Cambridge this coming Thursday 16th November 1.00pm-3pm.
The day has changed until the end of the year.
If you have any questions about the Family Court they are here to help. No appointment necessary.

A raffle is when you sell tickets to people with one or more prize winners drawn randomly. With a sweepstake, the prize is the money from the ticket sales. Both are types of lottery. Money raised from a raffle or sweepstake must benefit the community.

To run a lottery (a raffle or sweepstake), you need to decide (for example):

👉 what the prizes are
👉 how many tickets you will sell
👉 the price of the ticket
👉 who you will sell the tickets to, and
👉 when to draw the winning ticket.

You will need to follow some legal rules if you are an individual organising a raffle or sweepstake.

To find out about the laws and rules you must follow when organising a raffle or sweepstake, visit: https://www.cab.org.nz/article/KB00001842



[Image description: Bowls on a table with raffle tickets inside. Text reads "How do I go about organising a raffle, sweepstake or other type of lottery?"]

💸💸 To check whether you have unpaid fines, you can call the Ministry of Justice.

You can do this in the following ways:
👉 0800 4 FINES (0800 434 637, free from a New Zealand mobile phone)
👉 +64 4 915 8586 from overseas
👉 1800 144 239 (toll free) from Australia

You can reach the Ministry of Justice between 8am to 7pm, Monday to Friday.

To find out more, visit: cab.org.nz/article/KB00001828



[Image description: Person sitting by a desk with paperwork. Text reads "How do I check whether I have any unpaid fines?"]

🎄Check it out!🎄 Ours bins are going out into the community ready for donations of toys and Christmas goodies.🎁 Here is Sarah and Zoe at Paper Plus Cambridge setting up a bin, don't they look so happy to be supporting us! They already have some kindly donated gifts to start the bin off 🥰

👉💵💳 Your credit record is a summary of your history regarding credit, debt, and repayment. If there is incorrect information in your credit record/report, contact the credit reporting agency, explain that the information is not accurate, provide supporting evidence, and ask them to fix it. Agencies are required by law to ensure that the information they hold about you is correct.

To find out more about credit reports, visit: cab.org.nz/article/KB00001770

To find out more about what to do if your credit record contains wrong information, visit: cab.org.nz/article/KB00001777



[Image description: Person typing on a laptop. Text reads "What can I do if my credit record has wrong information in it?"]

If you have your photo added to your SuperGold Card, then it can be used as a photo ID in many places. You can do this by taking your existing card to an AA driver licensing agent, along with three forms of identification that verify your name, date of birth, and address. At the AA centre, they will take your photo and will post a new card to you with your photo on it, free of charge.

You need to bring the following documents with you to the AA centre:
👉 one type of official identification that has your full legal name and your date of birth (for example, your birth certificate, passport, or driver licence).
👉 two more documents that help to prove who you are (for example, a marriage certificate, bank statement, phone or power account).

At least one of your documents must be at least two years old, and if you changed your name, bring proof of the name change.

If you were born overseas, you also need to bring proof of your residency status.

To find out more visit: cab.org.nz/article/KB00043756



[Image description: A couple writing while sitting down. Text reads "Can I use my SuperGold Card as photo ID?"]

📣📣 In Aotearoa New Zealand, whenever someone receives health or disability care, they have a right to be treated with respect and the right to speak up, and they are protected by the Code of Health and Disability Services Consumers' Rights. It is important everyone is aware of their rights so they know they can ask questions, seek support, and ensure their voices are heard. The Office of the Health and Disability Commissioner has released a helpful video explaining people's rights in relation to health and disability care. You can watch the video here: youtube.com/watch?v=AsYUM-jyHuQ&t=8s

👉To find out more about your rights under the Code of Health and Disability Services Consumers' Rights, visit
cab.org.nz/article/KB00001541

👉To find out how you can make a complaint to the Health and Disability Commissioner, visit
cab.org.nz/article/KB00001542

✅ ✅ You do not have to wait till Election Day to vote. You can vote from about two weeks before Election Day. For the 2023 General Election, voting starts on Monday 2 October (Election Day is Saturday 14 October).

To find a voting place near you, visit vote.nz/2023-general-election/how-to-vote/find-a-voting-place/

If you enrolled to vote before 10 September 2023, you will receive an EasyVote pack in the mail. You can find details about where, when, and how to vote in advance, in your EasyVote pack and on the Vote NZ website.

To find out more, visit cab.org.nz/article/KB00039399



[Image description: Voting sign with an arrow on a street. Text reads "Can I vote in a general election before Election Day?"]

The Electricity Authority is asking the public for feedback about its ‘Consumer Care Guidelines’. Right now these guidelines are voluntary, with no penalties for companies who ignore them. Whānau across Aotearoa are struggling to pay power bills and face disconnection with many having to make hard choices between basic essentials. You can have your say and make a submission by Monday, October 2! Check out the submission guide here: tinyurl.com/consumercareNZ

Citizens Advice Bureau NZ supports the Everyone Connected campaign and their petition asking the Electricity Authority to support families who are struggling.

You can sign the petition here: tinyurl.com/powerpricesnz

✅✅ If you are enrolled to vote, you will receive a voting pack in the mail. The voting pack will include information about candidates wanting your electorate vote, and the political parties wanting your party vote.

You can find a list of all the registered political parties here: elections.nz/democracy-in-nz/political-parties-in-new-zealand/register-of-political-parties/

The list of electorate and list candidates was released on 16 September, on the Vote NZ website here: vote.nz/2023-general-election/about/2023-general-election/electorate-candidates/

If you would like to attend 'meet the candidate' meetings, to hear candidates speak and ask questions - you can check parties' websites or social media to find out where and when these are.

To find out more visit, cab.org.nz/article/KB00043678



[Image description: Person dropping a vote into a ballot box. Text reads "How do I find out about candidates in the General Election?"]

If you have a long-term impairment or disability that prevents you from using public transport, you may be eligible for the Total Mobility scheme.

The scheme reduces the cost of taxi services. It is funded by central and local government, and administered by regional councils. Depending on your region, you could get up to 75% off the cost of the normal taxi fare, from a participating provider. In some areas, the subsidy also applies to taxi vans with wheelchair hoists.

To find out more about the scheme, visit cab.org.nz/article/KB00001644

To find out if you are eligible for the scheme, visit cab.org.nz/article/KB00001646



[Image description: Person in a wheelchair working on a laptop. Text reads "What is the Total Mobility scheme, and how does it work?"]

Each child will grieve in their own way and time just as adults do. How children react to grief can depend on their age and stage of development, among other things. Some children, depending on their age, may want to talk.

Some ways you and your family can help include:
💛 listening to them and answering their questions honestly
💛 keeping up their normal routines (where possible)
💛 reading to them from children's books that talk about death and grief, or making age-appropriate books on the topic available to them
💛 reassuring them that they are safe and cared for

If your child needs more help with their grief than family and friends can provide, you may want to consider counselling for them. There is free grief counselling available for children.

For helpful links and more information, visit cab.org.nz/article/KB00000561




[Image description: Person carrying a young child who is visibly upset. Text reads "How can I help my child deal with grief?"]

👉 Most employees are entitled to a minimum of 10 days’ sick leave a year after they have worked with the same employer for 6 months. If you have not used all of your sick leave during the year, you can carry over the unused sick leave to the next year. The maximum amount of sick leave you can accumulate is 20 days unless your employment agreement allows for more. The only time you can cash in unused sick leave is if your employment agreement allows you to do so.

To find out more, visit cab.org.nz/article/KB00000488



[Image description: Person who appears to be unwell and is taking medicine. Text reads "What happens to my sick leave at the end of the year?"]

👉 At the end of your tenancy, you and your landlord have to agree to release the bond money (minus any deductions you both agree to), by completing and signing a bond refund form. Tenancy Services takes five working days to process a bond refund form once it has been signed and submitted by the tenant or tenants.

To find out more and learn more about what happens to your bond at the end of your tenancy, visit cab.org.nz/article/KB00043638

For more information on your renting rights visit, tenant.aratohu.nz



[Image description: People moving boxes and plants out of an apartment. Text reads "How long will it take to get my bond refund when my tenancy ends?"]

✅ If you have changed your address since the last election, you need to update your details on the electoral roll. You can update your details online if you have a NZ passport or driver licence, or a RealMe account.

You can do this here: enrol.vote.nz/app/enrol/ #/check-online

To have a form sent to you, you can call the Electoral Commission on 0800 36 76 56 (available 24 hours) or free text your name and address to 3676.

To find out more, and download a printable form from the Electoral Commission, visit cab.org.nz/article/KB00043402



[Image description: Person dropping a voting ballot paper into an orange box. Text reads "How do I change my address on the electoral roll?"]

🥸👉 If you suspect that you have been a victim of identity theft, you should first contact the agencies and organisations involved. For example, your credit card provider, the Passport Office, or Waka Kotahi.

You can check whether you are a victim of identity theft by using a checklist on the Department of Internal Affairs website, here: dia.govt.nz/Identity-Fraud-Checklist

If you suspect someone is using your identity fraudulently, you should also report it to the Police. You can do this at your nearest police station, or by calling 105, or online at: police. govt.nz/advice-services/how-report-crime-or-incident

To find out how you can protect yourself from identity theft and privacy breaches, visit cab.org.nz/article/KB00001923



[Image description: Person in a hoodie looking at a mobile phone. Text reads "What should I do if I think I am a victim of identity theft?"]

👶🏾👶👶🏻 Your employer contributions to KiwiSaver stop when you start your parental leave. They will start back up again when you return to work after the end of your leave period.

👉 If you want to make contributions from your parental leave payments, you can:
- choose to make payments from your parental leave payments when you apply to Inland Revenue for leave or
- make your own payments directly to your KiwiSaver provider (contact your provider for how to do this).

For more details and information visit https://www.cab.org.nz/article/KB00043637



[Image description: Person in the background, feeding their baby. Text reads "What happens to my KiwiSaver fund if I take parental leave?"]

✅ The 2023 General Election will be held on October 14 and you'll get to vote for the parties and candidates to represent you in Parliament. Voting starts on Monday 2 October, and on election day (Oct 14) all voting places will be open from 9am to 7pm. If you are eligible to vote, you can enrol online, request a printed application form by calling 0800 36 76 56 (24 hours, 7 days), or free text 3676 . If you are overseas, you can contact the New Zealand embassy or high commission.

When you have filled in your application, you can either submit it online, mail it to the Electoral Commission or send in your form via email.

For more details and information visit https://www.cab.org.nz/article/KB00001061



[Image description: Person dropping a voting paper into a box. Text reads "How do I enrol to vote?]

🔌💡 Many whānau across the country are struggling to pay their power bills and face disconnection. Vulnerable New Zealanders are being left in the cold and are having to make choices between basic essentials such as power, rent, and food. Citizens Advice Bureau NZ supports the Everyone Connected campaign and their petition asking the Electricity Authority to support families struggling with electricity prices and help them keep the power on in their homes.

You can sign the petition and learn more about the Everyone Connected campaign here: tinyurl.com/powerpricesnz

If you buy a car privately, you are not covered by the laws that cover purchases from registered dealers. This includes buying a car from a car market which provides a venue for private sellers.

You are covered against a seller's misrepresentation of the vehicle under the Contract and Commercial Law Act, but you must be able to prove that the misrepresentation caused your loss. You are also covered by this Act if the seller was not the legal owner of the vehicle when they were selling it.

It is a good idea to check before you buy to ensure the car is not stolen, does not have money owing on it, and has no major hidden faults. If you discover a problem after the sale, you can make a claim with the Disputes Tribunal.

To find out more visit https://www.cab.org.nz/article/KB00001526



[Image description: Person driving a car. Text reads "What legal protection do I have if I buy a car privately?]

💚 Without curtains, a home loses up to 45% of its heat through the windows. In cold weather, this impacts the health of people whose budgets don’t stretch to buying and installing curtains and who can’t afford to keep their homes sufficiently warm. This is why the Citizens Advice Bureau supports Curtain Call, a campaign for Healthy Homes Standards to include effective curtains as a requirement for all rental homes.

👉You can show your support and sign the petition here: https://our.actionstation.org.nz/petitions/close-the-gap-help-us-ensure-curtains-are-included-in-the-healthy-homes-standards

A credit provider or lender might advertise credit purchase agreements with an interest-free period. Before you decide to buy, ask them what the interest rate will be on the amount you still owe after the period ends.

Interest is not the only cost of a loan or credit purchase. Other fees might include credit fees, establishment or set-up fees, late payment fees, default and early repayment fees for example.

The lender must give you key information about their consumer credit contract and you should make sure that you are aware of all loan conditions before signing on. It is important to remember that not all lenders or credit providers charge the same fees.

For more information visit https://www.cab.org.nz/article/KB00001724



[Image description: A person looking at a mobile phone and holding a credit card. Text reads "What are some typical fees that are applied to consumer credit contracts?]

Don’t wait any longer - get started online now

✨✨✨ Mānawa maiea te putanga o Matariki
Mānawa maiea te ariki o te rangi
Mānawa maiea te Mātahi o te tau

✨✨✨ Celebrate the rising of Matariki
Celebrate the rising of the lord of the sky
Celebrate the rising of the New Year

Matariki is about remembering and honouring those we have lost, gathering together to give thanks for what we have, and looking forward to the promise of a new year.

We hope you have a wonderful Matariki and find your own way to celebrate and usher in a new year.

Enjoy your holiday and the long weekend!

💚🔥🥶🫥🙌🌬 If your rental does not meet Healthy Homes Standards, and it is not exempt from them, your landlord could be in breach of the Residential Tenancies Act. If your home does not comply with the standards, speak to your landlord about it. The Healthy Homes Standards are minimum standards for residential tenancies, and cover heating, insulation, ventilation, moisture and drainage, and draught-stopping.

If your landlord has not made changes to make your home meet the standards, or at least made reasonable progress towards this, you can apply to the Tenancy Tribunal for a remedy. Even if the Healthy Homes Standards do not yet apply to your rental home, your landlord is responsible for providing you with a healthy rental that is free from damp and mould.

For more information visit https://www.cab.org.nz/article/KB00039887

For information on your rights as a tenant visit tenant.aratohu.nz



[Image description: Person covered up in a blanket, sitting on the couch. Text reads "My rental does not meet the Healthy Homes Standards. What can I do about it?"]

Don’t wait any longer - get started online now Making a plan for what happens after you die is the best way to ensure that the people & things you love are looked after. Learn more about writing a will.

🥶🌬🔥 You can get help with the cost of heating your home through schemes like the Winter Energy Payment, the Warmer Homes insulation subsidy and help from some local councils.

If you receive a Work and Income benefit (including New Zealand Superannuation or Veteran’s Pension) you will automatically receive a Winter Energy Payment (the payment is $20-$30 a week).

If you own a home but are on a low income, you may be eligible for a government subsidy to insulate your home and install efficient heating.

Energy providers also have obligations to medically dependent or vulnerable consumers who might have trouble paying bills due to financial hardship.

For more information, visit: https://www.cab.org.nz/article/KB00001989



[Image description: People with socks on, sitting next to a heater. Text reads "Is there financial assistance with the cost of heating my home?"]

Did you know… You can lodge and pay your bond on our website without transferring any amounts to your landlord, with their permission?

Learn more: https://bit.ly/43fKiVT

🤨🤔📱💻 🚩 Are you and your whānau safe online?
Scams and scammers succeed because they look like the real thing and can catch you off guard when you are not expecting it. Scammers can take advantage of new technology, products, or services, and it is important to keep yourself safe online by being aware of the signs.

'You've Been Scammed' is a new series featuring Nigel Latta who shows us how scammers use our most common psychological traits to exploit us. The show airing on TV1 and TVNZ+ on Monday, July 3, has been championed by the Banking Ombudsman Scheme (NZ).

For tips on keeping yourself safe online, visit: https://www.cab.org.nz/article/KB00002033

You can watch a preview of You've Been Scammed here:

https://www.facebook.com/watch/?v=955407242410463&ref=sharing

If you’re a renter, you need to know about this resource – https://tenant.aratohu.nz/

It’s by tenant advocates for tenants and their advocates! It is full of detailed information about your renting rights, case studies, tips, and guidance for resolving problems.

Citizens Advice Bureau is part of the national network of tenant advocacy organisations. For free, independent information and advice about your renting rights, call 0800 367 222 or visit https://www.cab.org.nz/ to talk to a CAB volunteer online or to find a CAB near you.

VUWSA - Victoria University of Wellington Students' Association Renters United The Salvation Army New Zealand, Fiji, Tonga and Samoa Territory Age Concern New Zealand Manawatu Tenants Union New Zealand Council of Christian Social Services Community Law Wellington & Hutt Valley Anglican Advocacy Canterbury Tenancy Services

💸💸 When you apply for a loan or credit, there is a lot of information to understand. Your lender must give you all the important information and help you understand the contract.

You can find out what else to expect from your lender by checking out this Guide to Borrowing Money from the Commerce Commission.

https://comcom.govt.nz/consumers/dealing-with-typical-situations/borrowing-money-and-buying-on-credit/a-guide-to-borrowing-money/_nocache?fbclid=IwAR1u5fZu-Onqyysd5L8xNjV8OQN0Xdsrs94RnHLkilGwP-6sEo3iN6F2J1s

It’s National Volunteer Week and we would like to celebrate and thank all of you wonderful volunteers for your mahi.
The CAB services to the community is only possible because of our volunteers so you should be proud of your contribution.

Tūhuratia ō motika! | Discover your rights! Toll roads in New Zealand are roads that drivers must pay to drive on. The payment goes towards the cost of that road's construction and maintenance. We have three toll roads in the country and they are all in the upper North Island. It is a legal requirement that there is a free alternative route to a toll road - but it is likely to be longer and less well-maintained.

To learn more about toll roads, setting up an account (if you are a frequent toll road user) and for more information and relevant links, visit https://www.cab.org.nz/article/KB00042725

[Image description: Dog in the rearview mirror of a car. Text reads "Are there roads in New Zealand that I have to pay to drive on?"]