Whitireia Community Law Centre, Porirua

The Whitireia Community Law Centre was established because of a high need within the Porirua area for legal advice, assistance and representation. In 1995, after the Cannons Creek Community Law Centre closed, the Law Centre commenced operations as a Community clinic working out of the Whitireia Community Polytechnic. The Polytechnic ran the Law Centre for two years before it became a separate entity in 1997 and the Whitireia Community Law Centre was born. Our services are targeted at people who have diminished access to justice through either a lack of resources or a lack of knowledge. We are a Law Centre that believes in empowering the wider community by increasing awareness of legal rights, responsibilities and promoting improved access to justice. In achieving this mission the Law Centre will: Be the community's first choice when seeking legal information and initial legal advice; Be the pre eminent authority on areas of law pertinent to its target communities; Be integrated into the community to ensure it has a mandate to promote law reform on behalf of its communities; Continue to be a leader in developing accessible legal resources and relevant education programmes for its communities; Be a stimulating and professional workplace that promotes excellence and supports its staff.