Tips to settle in
Get the information you need
To use this guide you will need a copy of the Northland telephone directory (available from Post Shops) and access to the internet. The Whangarei District Library can help you with both.
The Yellow Pages is located in the back section of the telephone directory.
This symbol means to refer to the Yellow Pages, and is used in this guide. Government departments are listed in the front of the telephone directory in blue. Medical centres, hospitals and other health service providers are listed in the front of the telephone directory, in green.
Settlement Support New Zealand
Whangarei Settlement Support provides:
- Information about services to migrants, refugees and their families;
- Referrals to helping agencies;
- Access to interpreter services;
- Information seminars for migrants;
- A link to cultural groups.
Phone the co-ordinator for further information; ph: 430 4230 extension: 8356.
Or email: ssnzwhangarei@wdc.govt.nz
Website: www.wdc.govt.nz/portal/settlementsupport.html
Whangarei District Libraries
Whangarei District Libraries has a collection of books and audio visual material in a number of different languages. The friendly staff speak many languages and are happy to answer your questions.
Whangarei District has three libraries:
- Central - 7 Rust Avenue, behind the old library building
- Kamo - 583 Kamo Road
- Onerahi - Commins Road, opposite the Onerahi Shopping Centre
There is also a mobile library service operating in both urban and rural areas. A timetable and list of stops for the mobile service is available on the library web site, listed below.
Anyone who lives in Whangarei District may join the library at no cost. You will need:
- Proof of address;
- Identification i.e. driver's license or passport.
Internet access is available at the library. Ask about Internet access at the Information counter.
For more information about library: www.whangarei-libraries.com/ Phone: 430 4206.
Language Line
Language Line is a telephone interpreter service to help people who speak little or no English. Most government departments offer Language Line. The service is available in over 36 languages and is FREE to users.
- Language Line operates between 9 a.m. and 6 p.m. Monday to Friday.
To connect to Language Line by telephone, contact the government department to which you wish to speak. Then ask for Language Line and tell them the language you speak (e.g. "Korean"). They will contact an interpreter for you. (For a full list of languages available through this service visit: www.ethnicaffairs.govt.nz ).
The office of Ethnic Affairs also produces Language Line cards. This card lists the languages provided by the services, and has space on the front of the card for you to write the language you speak.
Below is a list of some government departments that offer Language Line. For further information about Language Line, visit: www.ethnicaffairs.govt.nz or free phone: 0800 656 656.
For further information about Language Line contact:
- The Whangarei District Settlement Support Co-ordinator; ph. 430 4230 ext: 8356
- Citizen's Advice Bureau (CAB); phone 438 8046; or email: cab.whngr@xtra.co.nz.
Multi-Lingual Language Service
The Multi-Lingual Language Service is another telephone interpreter service available from:
- Citizen's Advice Bureau CAB 438 8046; or email: cab.whngr@xtra.co.nz
- Settlement Support Co-ordinator; Ph. 430 4230 ext: 8356.
Information Centres
Whangarei District Council has three service centres from which customers can get information and help with questions about the District. There is an information pack available for new ratepayers in the District.
Free phone 0800 WDC INFO or 0800 932 463
Whangarei Service Centre
Private Bag 9023, Whangarei 0140
Forum North Building, Rust Avenue,
Phone 430 4200, Fax 438 7632
E-mail: mailroom@wdc.govt.nz
Hours: Monday to Friday 8.00 a.m. - 5.00 p.m.
Hikurangi Service Centre
7 King Street, Hikurangi 0114
Phone 433 8777, Fax 433 8395
Hours: Monday to Friday 11.00 a.m. - 12.30 p.m. & 1.00 p.m. - 4.00 p.m.
Ruakaka Service Centre
Takutai Place, Ruakaka 0116
Phone 432 8360, Fax 432 8330
Hours: Monday to Friday 8.30 a.m. - 4.00 p.m.
For more information; www.wdc.govt.nz
Whangarei i-Site is located on State Highway 1 at the south entrance to Whangarei, and in the Town Basin. i-Site staff provide free information about Whangarei, Northland and other regions in New Zealand. They do FREE bookings for transport, accommodation, tours and activities throughout New Zealand and are agents for the Intercity Bus Services.
i-Site has an information kit for new settlers to the District. You can ask the staff for one.
For further information; www.whangareinz.org.nz
Open daily.
Citizens Advice Bureau
Whangarei Citizens Advice Bureau provides:
- FREE & CONFIDENTIAL information on clubs, hobbies, education, legal issues, heath support & services, human rights, finance and tenancy, etc.
CAB offers the Multi-Lingual Information Service
The service provides:
- A large database of national and local services;
- Volunteers to help you access and understand your rights and responsibilities;
- Justices of the Peace - to witness your documents, and
- A free legal advice clinic fortnightly.
Phone: 438 8046 or 0800 367 222, email: cab.whngr@xtra.co.nz or fax: 430 0443.
Northland Pacific Islands Charitable Trust Incorporated
The Northland Pacific Islands Charitable Trust Inc. started in 1991. It provides information, advocacy, support services, health checks, counselling, interpretation, resources, social and cultural activities to the Pacific Islands migrant community. For enquiries phone: 430 2717.
Telephone Directory includes:
- White Pages with general listings, alphabetically arranged;
- Green Pages listing doctors and hospitals;
- Blue Pages listing government departments and agencies;
- Yellow Pages with businesses and services, arranged by type.
These can be obtained free from NZ Post, call free 0800 501 501, or from local Post Shops located at:
- Whangarei - 16 Rathbone St ph. 430 2761
- Kamo - 519 Kamo Rd ph. 435 1111
- Kensington Shopping Centre ph. 437 2372
- Onerahi - 110 Onerahi Rd ph. 436 0949
- Otaika Shopping Centre ph. 438 6031
- Te Mai - 117 Maunu Rd ph. 437 7672
Postal Services
NZ Post provides postal services throughout New Zealand. When you move into a new home or rental accommodation you will need to contact NZ Post to provide them with your new address. They can also forward your mail from your old address within New Zealand.
Courier operators are available to deliver packages within the District and throughout New Zealand. See Courier Service.
Newspapers
There are three newspapers in Whangarei District.
The Northern Advocate is a daily newspaper available by subscription or from local book stores, service stations, supermarkets and dairies. Or you can read it in the Whangarei District Libraries.
To subscribe, contact: Circulation
Free phone: 0800 652-399
Email: circulation@northernadvocate.co.nz
The Report is a free weekly community newspaper delivered to all homes within the District on Thursdays. You can also read it in the Whangarei District Libraries.
All enquiries Ph. 470 2840.
The Whangarei Leader is a free weekly community newspaper delivered to all homes within the District on Tuesday. You can also read it in the Whangarei District Libraries.
All enquiries Ph. 438 8636.
Several smaller community papers are also produced. Ask your local school or service station if there is a small community publication produced in your area.
Radio Stations
There are two radio groups that operate within Whangarei District.
- Radio Network - this radio group includes five stations. The two main stations for Northland news are
NewsTalk ZB and Classic Hits. Refer to the web site for radio band frequencies; www.radionetwork.co.nz
- RadioWorks - this radio group includes 9 stations. The main station for Northland news is More FM on. www.northland.morefm.co.nz
These radio stations have local news and announcers. They broadcast community news, job vacancies, the weather and other information about Whangarei District throughout the day.