From page 1 //Further bank branch closures predicted

Zealand. What we are increasingly doing across our network is looking for local businesses to partner with to help us deliver postal services.

‘‘While we acknowledge that partnering with local businesses in this way is a change in where people will access these services from, they will continue to be available in the community. NZ Post is making these decisions in the climate of mail decline, as a way of operating in a sustainable way so that we can continue to provide services to communities for many years to come.’’

The spokesperson said any changes would be discussed with staff before public comment was made. Most staff in NZ Post branches were employed by Kiwibank.

Kiwibank spokeswoman Kara Tait said that announced changes for branches at this stage were intentions. No changes would happen before NZ Post had secured new partnerships with other businesses.

Tait said customer feedback to Kiwibank indicated that when customers went into a branch, they were looking for more than everyday transaction services.

‘‘They’re wanting to talk about how they can manage their money better, or wanting to talk about mortgages or term deposits, and have those in-depth conversations. That demand for what customers are wanting has meant that we’ve moved to standalone branches already in some areas, and there will be more of those in future.’’

Tait said Kiwibank was ‘‘continuously’’ reviewing retail outlets based on customer activity and on how much service it could provide through online or mobile banking. She said branches slated to close were ones in close proximity to other Kiwibank outlets.