Labour MP Charles Chauvel arrived in Tauranga this morning for a much anticipated visit to the eighth opening of the week-long Sculpture Symposium on Tauranga's waterfront.

The Labour spokesperson for Justice and Arts, Culture and Heritage Charles attended the opening of the waterfront exhibition as part of the Garden and ArtFest.

Labour MP Charles Chauvel and Barrister of the Year Kate Barry-Piceno at the launch.

'It's actually quite unique. I think Wellington needs to get behind it.”

As part of his visit to Tauranga, Charles is continuing his campaign to promote sustainable funding for community law services.

Charles says Tauranga's Baywide Community Law Centre is doing a ‘fantastic' job and feels Government funding should be made possible.

'I have been trying to persuade the Government that they shouldn't cut the funding.

'If you look at the amount of people they provide advice and support to each year you realise what a great value for money service they provide.

'They do a great job. They have some paid staff and use their Government funding very wisely. For me it's a perfect example of a public-private relationship.”

Charles says the majority of people cannot afford the legal advice.

'A lot of people can't afford it but that shouldn't stop them.

'That's why I have been campaigning to get the Government to put them on a sustainable funding service.”

The Government's idea to reduce the number of funding contacts for community law posed a threat to community law services forcing them to amalgamate.

Charles says providing face to face service is the best way to operate a community law services.

He says the worst option would be to turn community law into a 0800 number or website.

'You can get the advice you need on the spot. You simply can't get that through a website or an 0800 number.”

'My view is we have got a great service, it isn't broke, why try to fix it?”

Community law services need to be made well-known to the community and Charles says part of his campaign is to speak out in favour of a great service.

'We want to see the service retained and serviceable.”