Waitakere Community Law Service (“WCLS”) is a community law centre as defined by the Legal Services Act 2000 which was established in 2005 to enhance the lives of people most in need and whose lives are impacted on by unresolved legal issues. This is achieved through:
- Providing free legal information, advice, assistance and representation services to priority communities of interest
- Developing and co-ordinating legal education, training and support that will build the capacity of a range of community organisations to provide legal assistance
- Identifying systemic barriers to justice and working in ways to overcome these.
WCLS is a not-for-profit organisation and one of 27 community law centres in New Zealand. Community Law Centres are owned by the community they serve and are operated as either charitable trusts or incorporated societies. They are funded by the government’s Ministry of Justice. WCLS is a member of the Coalition of Community Law Centres.
We recognise that legal problems are often symptomatic of other wider social problems and that a holistic approach involving other social services is often necessary to resolve problems presented by clients. We work closely with other community organisations to ensure that the wider social well-being needs of the communities we serve are met.
Our Vision
Te Korowai Ture – providing legal services to those most in need.
Values
The Waitakere Community Law Service will:
- Give effect to the Treat of Waitangi
- Treat all people with dignity and respect
- Work in ways that value the diversity of the city
- Promote sustainable and empowering ways of working
- Practice the “Waitakere Way” proactive, strengths based, collaborative, sustainable.
Nāu te rourou, Nāku te rourou, Ka ora te iwi. With your food basket, and my food basket, the people will thrive.
