KEY POINTS:
When there are no banks left in a town anymore, what do the locals do for cash?
The central North Island town of Raetihi lost its banking services several years ago and locals have had to travel to Ohakune, Taumarunui or Wanganui to find a bank or use an ATM.
But now an independent provider of the cash machines, NZ ATM Services Ltd, has set up shop in Raetihi.
"It's all about convenience. Kiwis have embraced mobile phones, pizza delivery, twist top wine and this is just an extension of that. We're making it safer and more convenient to withdraw cash", said NZ ATM Chief Executive, Wendy Anderson.
"Instead of jumping in the car and travelling up to an hour and a half, people can now walk down to their local Caltex".
Added convenience is never free; there will be a small cost of $1.50 per transaction to withdraw cash from an NZ ATM.
Before cash is withdrawn an on-screen prompt asks if you want to continue with the transaction or not - similar to dialling an 0900 number.
Customers of Westpac, BNZ and TSB banks are able to use the new ATMs and Kiwibank customers will shortly be able to.
The NZ ATM trial starts today and will run through April at Caltex stations in Raetihi, Karaka, Mangere and Otara, and the Four Square in Eketahuna.
If the trial is successful, more machines are planned to go onstream later in the year.
- NZHERALD STAFF
