‘Tough decisions’: Paper Plus faces downsizing
Kiwibank’s sole operator in Motueka has shut up shop, leaving just three outlets offering in-person services across Nelson-Tasman.
Paper Plus on Motueka High St’s Kiwibank outlet closed at the end of February, with retailer Sarah Amyes citing tough times.
“It's been a really really tough last year business wise,” Amyes said in a Facebook video. “We have had to make some pretty tough decisions.”
More change was on the horizon for Paper Plus over the coming weeks: an internal wall was being built as the store downsized, which included losing staff, Amyes said.
“It has been a really tricky time for us: we’re not the only business finding things tough ... we’re doing everything in our power to remain open.”
Although the stationery and book retailer had ended its relationship with Kiwibank, it would continue to offer its NZ Post service, Amyes said.
She urged people to shop local wherever possible.
A Kiwibank spokesperson said the bank had contacted customers who were frequent users of the Motueka outlet to let them know.
The closest in-person Kiwibank services for Motueka customers is now Paper Plus in Richmond Mall.
Golden Bay Visitor Centre in Tākaka is an agent for the bank, and there is a Kiwibank branch on Hardy St in Nelson.
Bank branches, outlets and ATMs are becoming scarcer around the country.
In September 2020, there were a total of 850 bank branches left open, down from 1024 in 2017, according to data from consultancy KPMG. At the end of September last year the number had fallen to just 677.
Nelson is not immune, and last year lost its TSB branch.
Last month, ASB announced that five of its North Island branches would close, citing less footfall and greater demand for online banking services.