The Acting Prime Minister has asked Kiwibank to reconsider its plans to close four branches in Dunedin and Mosgiel shared with NZ Post.
Dunedin South Electorate MP Clare Curran had expressed concern at the closure of the South Dunedin Kiwibank and NZ Post branch in a letter to Mr Peters, who is also Minister of State Owned Enterprises.
Kiwibank plans to open a single stand-alone Dunedin Central branch, which Ms Curran said in the letter would unfairly disadvantage South Dunedin residents who use the King Edward St branch’s banking and postal services.
"A centralised Kiwibank will disadvantage those who then have to catch a bus to the city to do their banking," she wrote.
"I ask that you require Kiwibank to drop its plans to close the South Dunedin branch and instigate an immediate review into Kiwibank’s policy of closing down busy community branches."
NZ Post is looking for "partner businesses" to help it deliver postal services in affected areas.
Immediately after a speech at the Dunedin Club to the Otago Chamber of Commerce yesterday, Mr Peters said he had passed Ms Curran’s concerns on to Kiwibank and he hoped it would reconsider.
"I don’t have everyday control and management of Kiwibank. That’s not what the minster’s job is, but I have forwarded Clare Curran’s comments on to them, and asked them to reconsider, and that’s all I can do."
Asked if he had been to South Dunedin on this visit and whether he agreed with community concerns the area was in decline, Mr Peters bristled.
"Well, I’ve been all over Dunedin, over the years.
"I don’t know how you do media down here, but the Otago Daily Times never used to be like that ... [to] come along, ask a question like that and want instant answers.
"I know, for example, you’ve got 2700 homes there that have climate change issues.
"I came down and spent some considerable time here with the mayor and the [Otago] Regional Council as well, to become apprised of this situation, to ensure that we’re aware of it."
Ms Curran later said she had not received a response to her letter from Mr Peters, but was pleased to learn he had passed her concerns on to Kiwibank.
