Community Information FAQs

  • General Questions

    Christchurch City Libraries is a network of 20 public libraries in Ōtautahi and Banks Peninsula, as well as a digital library and a mobile library service. Christchurch is also home to academic libraries, special libraries, school libraries, and volunteer libraries. Christchurch City Council supports volunteer libraries, but they are a separate service from Christchurch City Libraries. Volunteer libraries are run by local committees and offer library collections for reading and borrowing.

    CINCH Community Information Christchurch lists volunteer libraries in Christchurch:

    Heathcote Valley Community Library
    Location: 45 Bridle Path Road, Heathcote Valley, Christchurch 8022

    Mairehau Library
    Location: 42A Kensington Avenue, Mairehau, Christchurch 8013

    Opawa Public Library
    Location: 192 Richardson Terrace, Opawa, Christchurch 8023

    Redcliffs Public Library
    Location: 91 Main Road, Redcliffs, Christchurch 8081

    St Martins Library and Community Centre
    Location: Cnr Wilsons Road & Wades Avenue, St Martins, Christchurch 8022

    Woolston Community Library
    Location: 689 Ferry Road, Woolston, Christchurch 8023

    Some volunteer libraries have bookable venues:

    • Woolston Community Library has a small hall available for meetings, functions, exercise classes and educational activities. In addition to this a small meeting room is available for hire.
    • St Martins Community Centre is a modern, multi-function facility with space for a variety of activities.

    NZ Post postal services are available at the following libraries and customer service hubs:

    Fendalton Library and Customer Service Hub

    NZ Post services are available from Fendalton Customer Service Hub, Monday to Friday 9am to 5pm.
    You can:

    • Post a parcel/drop off
    • Purchase postage
    • Post a letter

    More information on the NZ Post website.

    Linwood Library and Customer Service Hub

    NZ Post services are available from the Linwood Customer Service Hub, Monday to Friday 9am to 5pm.
    You can

    • Post a parcel/drop off
    • Purchase postage
    • Pay a Bill & ID Applications
    • Post a letter

    More information on the NZ Post website.

    Little River Library and Customer Service Hub

    NZ Post services are available from the Little River Library and Customer Service Hub, Monday to Friday 8.30am to 4.30pm.
    You can

    • Post a parcel/drop off
    • Purchase postage
    • Counter delivery
    • Post a letter

    More information on the NZ Post website.

    Papanui Library and Customer Service Hub

    NZ Post services are available from the Papanui Customer Service Hub, Monday to Friday 9am to 5pm.
    You can:

    • Post a parcel/drop off
    • Purchase postage
    • Pay a Bill & ID Applications
    • Post a letter

    More information on the NZ Post website.

    Shirley Library and Customer Service Hub

    NZ Post services are available from the Shirley Customer Service Hub, Monday to Friday 9am to 5pm.
    You can:

    • Post a parcel/drop off
    • Purchase postage
    • Pay a Bill & ID Applications
    • Post a letter

    More information on the NZ Post website.

    The following libraries have Customer Service Hubs where you can carry out Council-related transactions.

    See all Customer Service Hubs

    If you are having an event in Christchurch or the Canterbury region, you can list it on the Christchurch City Council's What's on.

    The Library may be able to help promote your own organisation or event by

    • hosting a display at one of our libraries
    • distributing and displaying posters and flyers around our network of Libraries
    • adding your organisation to our Community Information Directory CINCH

    Many of our libraries have noticeboards and/or places where pamphlets can be left for people to pick up. If your organisation would like to have a display in one of our community libraries, fill out the form Community content for display.

    Please see the Community Information page for more information.

    Local and central government documents are available for consultation at libraries. Tuakiri | Identity, Level 2, Tūranga has a comprehensive range of central and local government publications.

    Customers can access Council, Committee and Community Board meeting agendas and minutes on library computers. Paper copies are no longer available. Find out more on Newsline: Council phasing out printed agendas for trees' sake.

    Please see the Community Information page for more information.

  • Citizens Advice Bureau

    • Your legal rights and responsibilities.
    • The legislation relevant to your situation.
    • Knowing what Government Departments are responsible for things relating to your situation.
    • Knowing what specialist community services relate to your situation.
    • Knowing community people and groups who can offer support and understanding.
    • Navigating your way through the processes that address your situation and the issues you may have.

    The Citizens Advice Bureau is a free and confidential service that helps people know, understand and exercise their rights and obligations by providing accurate and impartial information.

    The workers at the Citizens Advice Bureau are volunteers who help people to help themselves by providing support to find ways of resolving issues and by working together to get the best results,

    Fendalton Library

    Check the events calendar

    The Loft Ke Te Tihi

    Check the events calendar

    Note: Hornby Library has moved and you can visit the library at Matatiki Hornby Centre.
    If you want to visit Citizens Advice Bureau or see a Justice of the Peace, the Hornby Community Care Centre is still open at 8 Goulding Avenue. A Justice of the Peace is available every Monday and Thursday 9.30am-12.30pm. Visit Citizens Advice with your queries: Monday 9am to 5pm, Tuesday 9am to 5pm, Wednesday 9am to 5pm, Thursday 1pm to 5pm, Friday 9am to 5pm. Phone 03 349 5236 or email CAB

  • Justices of the Peace - JPs

    Justices of the Peace can witness signatures and documents, certify document copies, hear oaths, declarations, affidavits or affirmations as well as sign citizenship, sponsorship or rates rebates applications. There is no charge. 

    Please check on the Royal Federation of NZ Justices' Association website for details about JPs.
    Find a Justice of the Peace who can assist online

    See our page on Justices of the Peace (JPs) for more information and the weekly schedule of sessions.

    Find out more about what you need when visiting the JP.

    See our full listing of JP Clinics on the events calendar. 

    Note: Hornby Library has moved and you can visit the library at Matatiki Hornby Centre. If you want to visit Citizens Advice Bureau or see a Justice of the Peace, the Hornby Community Care Centre is still open at 8 Goulding Avenue. A Justice of the Peace is available every Monday and Thursday 9.30am-12.30pm. Visit Citizens Advice with your queries: Monday 9am to 5pm, Tuesday 9am to 5pm, Wednesday 9am to 5pm, Thursday 1pm to 5pm, Friday 9am to 5pm. Phone 03 349 5236 or email CAB