A regional banking hub trial involving six major banks is to extend until the end of next year and add another four hubs.
The trial was launched in November 2020 after an outcry from small towns who had been left with no banking services following a raft of branch closures.
The initial hubs opened in Martinborough, Ōpunake, Stoke and Twizel - towns with populations of fewer than 2000 people.
Four new hubs are to be opened by mid way through next year in Whangamatā, Ōpōtiki, Tūrangi and Waimate. The towns have more than 3000 people and are at least a half an hour's drive away from an existing bank branch.