Uncertainty hangs over the future of the Hawke's Bay Community Law Centre, as the Government's plans to review the way it funds free legal services.
The Ministry of Justice's decision to introduce competitive tendering - where community organisations pitch for a share of the public money earmarked for free legal services - has already resulted in the Hutt Valley and Wellington centres merging, and John Worden, chairman of the Hawke's Bay Community Law Centre board, says the restructuring leaves things "very uncertain" for Hawke's Bay services.
"It's just unknown, really, until we hear from the Ministry at the end of September."
In its review of free legal services last year, the Ministry proposed a two-tiered system consisting of direct personal services available through New Zealand's 25 community law centres, and the introduction of an 0800 number and online service.
However, Mr Worden said the Government had recently signalled its intention to cut back the number of contracts from 25 to between 10 and 15.