Mind Your Language
Kiwibank is doing away with cheques from 2020 despite the fact that Kiwis still write some 18 million cheques a year. The language used by Kiwibank CEO, Steve Jurkovich, to announce this major change is causing a great deal of concern and even offence among a segment of Kiwibank customers.
So, what can you do to get your PR and communications challenges right when announcing major organisational changes?
Steve Jurkovich may be correct when he describes cheques as "’sunset technology’ providing a ‘shrinking service’ requiring ‘outdated’ technology that is ‘coming to the end of its useful life’" . But this is potentially offensive language for the large proportion of cheque users who are elderly. Furthermore, many of these customers are extremely vulnerable and may already be dealing with discrimination, elder abuse and the challenges of isolation and lack of mobility.
Kiwibank proposes sending out ‘personal letters’ and providing ‘tech teas’ where cheque users can learn about modern technology at their local branch. That is of course assuming that elderly customers have a computer or Smartphone and that getting to their branch isn’t a problem and that their community still has a local branch.
Kiwibank risks alienating not just the elderly but their families who will be forced to find other ways to help elderly family members make those essential daily financial transactions. Here are some steps you can follow that will help smooth any transition.
First, successful PR requires you to think about what your decisions will mean for all affected parties. Put yourself in their shoes and if you don’t know how your customers or employees think or anything about their lives you need to find out before you make major changes.
CEO Steve Jurkovich asked his 70 something year old mother what she thought of Kiwibank cancelling cheques and she was fine about it. But a survey of one person (and that person being your proud mother ) does not make a solid base for good PR communications.
Secondly, if you’re still convinced the changes are necessary for the overall health of your organisation then you need to think about how you communicate the coming changes.
Put yourself in the affected parties’ shoes and ask yourself, how will they perceive my communication? Can I ease the communication with a better choice of wording? What other steps can I take to make the transition easier for them?
Kiwibank promotes itself as a community bank for Kiwis with the aim of helping them to financial independence. With its latest announcement Kiwibank risks alienating a large number of its more vulnerable customers. Such a poorly executed PR campaign could potentially spell cheque-mate for a brand that relies on its community friendly approach.
Poll: Do you set New Year’s resolutions?
🎉 2026 is almost here!
We’re curious ... how do you welcome it?
Do you set resolutions, follow special traditions, or just go with the flow?
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9.8% Yes! New Year, New Me
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22% Yes - but I rarely stick to them
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68.1% Nah - not for me
By-election for Otara-Papatoetoe area
Just to let everyone know that we have another by-election happening, and here is the reason why. Below are details and dates, so keep an eye on your letter boxes.
The Manukau Court’s Ruling
The Manukau District Court determined that the Papatoetoe subdivision result of the Ōtara–Papatoetoe Local Board election was invalid, ruling that the outcome had been “materially affected” by voting irregularities. Judge Richard McIlraith found that the scale and nature of the irregularities met the legal threshold required to void an election under New Zealand’s local electoral laws.
In his decision, Judge McIlraith stated that the evidence presented — including reports of stolen voting papers, fraudulent use of ballots, and other procedural irregularities — was sufficient to conclude that the integrity of the election had been compromised. The court noted that at least 79 voting papers were identified as having been cast without the rightful voter’s knowledge during a judicially supervised examination of ballot boxes.
While the judge acknowledged that the election had been administered “properly and in accordance with all requirements” by Independent Election Services and the electoral officer, he concluded that the fraudulent activity originated outside the official process and nonetheless impacted the final result to a degree that required the election to be voided.
As a result of the ruling, the court ordered that a new election must be held, with Auckland Council confirming that the fresh poll must be completed by 9 April 2026
Poll: 🗑️ Would you be keen to switch to a fortnightly rubbish collection, or do you prefer things as they are?
Aucklanders, our weekly rubbish collections are staying after councillors voted to scrap a proposed trial of fortnightly pick-ups.
We want to hear from you: would you be keen to switch to a fortnightly rubbish collection, or do you prefer things as they are?
Keen for the details? Read up about the scrapped collection trial here.
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85.2% Same!
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14.8% Would have liked to try something different
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