Free advice and legal aid
Not sure who to ask about renting, work, shopping, family or immigration paperwork? Start with the Citizens Advice Bureau (CAB). It is free. If you need legal advice but cannot afford a lawyer, contact a free Community Law Centre. You can also apply to the Ministry of Justice for Legal Aid. Legal Aid is a loan, so you may have to pay it back. When you call a government agency, you can ask for a free interpreter.
Key facts
- CAB free phone
- 0800 367 2221
- CAB phone hours
- Monday to Friday 9am–4pm, Saturday 9.30am–1pm2
- Number of CABs in New Zealand
- 831
- CAB help in other languages
- Many volunteers are bilingual. They can help connect you with someone who speaks your language. CAB information is available in some other languages, for example Chinese (Simplified).2
- Number of Community Law Centres in New Zealand
- 241
- Youth Law (free legal help for under-25s)
- 0800 884 5291
- What Legal Aid is
- The government pays for a lawyer for people who cannot afford one. It is treated as a loan.3
- Legal Aid decision times
- Criminal cases: processed within 24 hours of applying. Family or civil cases: processed within 5 working days, and you get a letter with the result.3
- Legal Aid enquiries
- 0800 2 LEGAL AID (0800 253 425)4
- Wellington and Auckland Legal Aid offices
- Monday to Friday 8am–5pm4
- Legal Aid Debt (repayments)
- 0800 600 0904
- Interpreters when calling the Ministry of Justice
- Free, through the Connecting Now service, 24 hours a day, 365 days a year4
- Phone and video interpreting for government agencies
- Free. Most government agencies, some doctors and some councils use it.5
- Phone interpreting languages
- More than 104 languages, day and night5
Who is this for, and what are the requirements?
- CAB: an independent organisation. Anyone can ask about anything. It is free and confidential.
- Community Law Centres: give legal information, legal advice, help and representation. They mainly help people who cannot afford a lawyer.
- Youth Law: free legal services for children and young people under 25.
- Legal Aid may be available if you need a lawyer but cannot afford one, and one of these applies: you are charged with a criminal offence; you have a family dispute going to court (for example, care of children); you have a civil dispute (for example, about money, housing, ACC or work); or you are a victim of a violent crime and want a civil non-contact order.
- Legal Aid Services looks at your personal situation to decide whether you get Legal Aid and how much you must repay.
How do I do it? Steps and process
- Ask CAB about general problems first
Call 0800 367 222, visit your local CAB, or send a message or chat online at cab.org.nz. If you need help in your language, just say so. CAB will try to connect you with someone who speaks it. CAB can explain your rights. If you need legal advice, they will refer you to your local Community Law Centre.
- For legal advice, contact a Community Law Centre
Find your nearest centre at communitylaw.org.nz. Contact them directly to ask a question or book an appointment. Many centres also run outreach services or clinics in smaller towns.
- If you need a lawyer but can't afford one, apply for Legal Aid
First check whether you are eligible on the Ministry of Justice website. For family or civil cases, choose a Legal Aid lawyer (there is a list at justice.govt.nz/legal-aid). The lawyer will help you fill in the application form. If you are unsure, call 0800 253 425.
- Ask for an interpreter when you contact a government agency
When you call or visit, say "interpreter" in English, then the name of your language. They will ask you to wait. Do not hang up. A professional interpreter will join the call.
What documents do I need?
- Any related papers (contracts, letters, court documents and so on). Bringing them makes your appointment faster.
- For Legal Aid, information about your income, assets and other details, as your lawyer and the application form ask
What should I watch out for?
- Legal Aid is not a gift. You may have to repay some or all of it. This depends on your income, what you own, and whether you get money or property from the case.
- Community Law Centres and CAB are free. Legal Aid is a separate Ministry of Justice scheme and is a loan.
- Community Law Centres have limited resources and mainly help people who cannot afford a lawyer. Your local centre will tell you whether and how they can help.
- You no longer need a special interpreting hotline. Call the government agency you need, ask for an interpreter, and it is free.
- If you have a hearing, vision or speech impairment, you can contact Legal Aid through NZ Relay.
- Watch out for scams. The Ministry of Justice says it does not send payment links by text or email. If you are not sure, check first by calling 0800 4 FINES (0800 434 637) or 0800 COURTS (0800 268 787).
- This page only describes free services. It is not personal legal or immigration advice. For your situation, talk to CAB, Community Law or a lawyer.
What has changed recently?
- The NZ$50 (including GST) user charge for family and civil Legal Aid has been removed. Cases approved before 1 January 2023 may still have to pay it.Source: justice.govt.nz ↗
Common questions
Where can I get free advice in New Zealand, and can I get help in my own language?
Start with the Citizens Advice Bureau (CAB). It is free and confidential, and anyone can ask about anything. Call 0800 367 222, visit one of the 83 CABs, or chat online at cab.org.nz. Many volunteers are bilingual. If you need help in your language, just say so, and CAB will try to connect you with someone who speaks it.
I have a dispute with my landlord or employer. What can I do if I can't afford a lawyer?
You can get free help from CAB or a Community Law Centre. CAB can explain your rights and refer you to your local Community Law Centre for legal advice. If you need a lawyer, you can apply to the Ministry of Justice for Legal Aid. Legal Aid may cover civil disputes, for example about housing or work.
Is Legal Aid free in NZ, or do I have to pay it back?
No, Legal Aid is not free. It is a loan, and you may have to repay some or all of it. This depends on your income, what you own, and whether you get money or property from the case. For questions about repayments, call Legal Aid Debt on 0800 600 090.
How do I apply for Legal Aid if I'm charged with a crime or going to the Family Court?
First check whether you are eligible on the Ministry of Justice website. For family cases, choose a Legal Aid lawyer from the list at justice.govt.nz/legal-aid, and the lawyer will help you fill in the application form. Criminal cases are processed within 24 hours. Family cases take up to 5 working days, and you get a letter. If unsure, call 0800 253 425.
My English isn't strong. Can I get a free interpreter when I call a government agency?
Yes, it is free. When you call or visit, say "interpreter" in English, then the name of your language. Do not hang up while you wait. A professional interpreter will join the call. Phone interpreting is available in more than 104 languages, day and night.
What can a Community Law Centre help me with?
A Community Law Centre gives free legal information, legal advice, help and representation. They mainly help people who cannot afford a lawyer, and resources are limited. There are 24 centres in New Zealand. Find your nearest one at communitylaw.org.nz. Then contact them to ask a question or book an appointment. Bring any related papers, like contracts or letters.
What is the CAB phone number and when are they open?
The CAB free phone number is 0800 367 222. Phone hours are Monday to Friday 9am–4pm and Saturday 9.30am–1pm. You can also visit your local CAB, or send a message or chat online at cab.org.nz.
Is there free legal help for young people under 25?
Yes. Youth Law gives free legal services to children and young people under 25. Call Youth Law on 0800 884 529. Young people can also get free help from CAB and Community Law Centres.
Answers are based on the verified content of this page — the official source always prevails.
Where can I check the official information?
- Free community legal helpMinistry of Justice · justice.govt.nz
- Migrant ConnectCitizens Advice Bureau New Zealand · cab.org.nz
- Get legal aidMinistry of Justice · justice.govt.nz
- Contact legal aidMinistry of Justice · justice.govt.nz
- Settlement servicesImmigration New Zealand · immigration.govt.nz
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