National Park angry at Postbank closure

Waimarino Bulletin, Volume 5, Issue 24, 10 November 1987, Page 1

National Park

angry at

Postbank closure

Concerned National Park residents are petitioning against the closure of the township's Post Office, due to t a k e place next February. The Post Office was earmarked for closure along with over 400 post offices nationwide, earlier this year. While NZ Post will be taken over by an independent agency in National Park, the town loses its only banking facility - Post Bank. The petition began circulating around the town last week and has already attracted over 70 signatures. It will also be circulated in the surrounding areas of Raurimu and Whakapapa, which was affected by the recent closure of the Post Office at the THC Chateau,

on 31 October. Some residents expressed concern that they would have to travel to Taumarunui 50 kilometres away for their banking. The altemative is Ohakune, 35 kilometres south of the township. National Park School Principal Doris Porteous voiced fears for the future of the school's banking which has traditionally been run through the Post Office and more recently, Post Bank. Residents are concerned that without a bank or automatic teller the onus will fall upon local businesses to supply visitors to the region with ready cash. "How can they promote tourism in the area if they're continually cutting services?" was the response of one resident to the news of the closure.

Residents are submitting a letter to the Postmaster General to accompany the petition which will be sent shortly. Residents blame the closure of Waikune Prison for the gradual shutting-down of public services in the area, including Silver Fern and rail bus service stops that were terminated this year and in 1986. An article that appeared in the Herald last month stated that a piece of land just north of Whangarei had been designated as a prime site for a medium security prison, as was Waikune, has sparked a public outcry from National Park residents. "Why build a new prison when there is already a prison here?", is the question that residents will be asking the Justice Department in their letter.