Fear that older people will be marginalised by proposed closure of Kaiapoi's Westpac branch

Nicole Mathewson Reporter from Northern Outlook

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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