Fear that older people will be marginalised by proposed closure of Kaiapoi's Westpac branch
If the closure in Kaiapoi goes ahead, people wanting to visit a Westpac bank in person will have to travel 11 kilometres north to Rangiora to reach their nearest branch.
A Westpac spokesman confirmed the bank had last week started consultation with employees about potentially closing the Kaiapoi branch.
He said the move was made following the end of Westpac’s lease there, and had taken into account a 38 per cent fall in counter transactions at the branch in the past year.
But Waimakariri mayor Dan Gordon said the proposed closure was concerning and would significantly affect the North Canterbury community, particularly the town’s older and vulnerable residents.
Gordon said he hoped to meet Westpac’s chief executive David McLean to lobby for the branch to remain.
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And the 2024 Prospa Local Business Hero is...
A huge congratulations to mother and son duo, Mary and Sam Danielson from The Puketapu Hotel.
The votes for all finalists have been tallied and they have been chosen by Neighbourly members across the country as the Prospa Local Business Hero of 2024.
The Puketapu Hotel was nominated by a local called Margaret and the nomination reads:
'On Feb 14, 2023, Cyclone Gabrielle flooded many of the rural areas. Puketapu Hotel went under perhaps half a meter of water. However, immediately Mary Danielson and her son, Sam Danielson, along with their loyal staff pulled it together to cook copious amounts of food that without electricity would have been wasted. Throughout the years many of us have been treated with a pub gathering where we can reconnect and a free meal. At Christmas there was Santa, games, gifts for kids, donated patchwork for adults, an ice cream truck and lots of camaraderie.
This February on the cyclone anniversary, they again pulled out the stops to give hundreds of us a special night. We are all tired of the cyclone cleanup and they understood that it was needed.'
Such a deserving business and team, well done Mary and Sam. And thank you to all those who voted!
Share your New Zealand music memories...
It's NZ Music Month and New Zealand really has some beautiful songs from artists that we call our own.
Whether it's April Sun in Cuba, Don't Forget your Roots, or How Bizarre or Bic Runga's 'Sway' - songs have a way of unlocking memories and evoking old feelings.
In honour of NZ Music Month, share a New Zealand song or artist that is special to you and explain why.
Type 'Not For Print' if you wish your comments to be excluded from the Conversations column of your local paper.
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