Westpac moves into Waiouru

Ruapehu Bulletin, Volume 10, Issue 455, 29 September 1992, Page 5

Westpac moves into Waiouru

By JanSavell Westpac opened for the first time in Waiouru yesterday. The bank was invited into the Military Camp as a result of the Bank of New Zealand's recent closure. Westpac staff will work from temporary premises in the Camp until Monday 5 October when the bank will open in the building previously occupied by the BNZ.

Westpac intend offering full banking services, including automatic teller machines for the Camp. Their long term aim is to move their branch to State Highway One where they are more accessible to tourist traffic. "Westpac have made no commitment to stay here," said Major Robin McMillan, Acting Commanding Officer of the Army Training Group

Support Unit. "They will stay as long as the local community use them. And in turn they must give service with reasonabje access." Good support from the community may cause them to reconsider their plans to move away from the Community Centre, he said. People of Waiouru's commercial sector met on Thursday and supported Westpac's proposals for

trading bank services in Waiouru. Those who attended expressed grave concern over BNZ's withdrawal. "I have been a customer of the BNZ since 1958," said Councillor Bob Vine. "The Waiouru commercial sector was given only two week's notice, time enough to arrange absolutely nothing in the way of a safe moneyhandling facility." "Westpac were given even less notice of BNZ's

manoeuvre but took an early opportunity to visit Waiouru and evaluate the situation". Councillor Vine has made an approach to the Ruapehu District Council for financial assistance which could be directed towards the setting up and fitting out of a suitable building on State Highway One. Defence have indicated the possibility of providing a building for relocation.