Ian Woolford: Reserve Bank Money and Cash Director on the RBNZ trialling a community cash depot project

The Reserve Bank is addressing concerns cash is becoming inaccessible by bringing money to rural communities.  

It has opened a 12-month trial of a cash depot in Hawke's Bays' Waipukurau - offering a closer site to make withdrawals.

Local banks have recently closed, meaning the nearest ATM for locals is 50 kilometres away.

Reserve Bank Money and Cash Director, Ian Woolford, says, currently, only businesses can use the depot for cash.

"It's quite surprising, about a third of where people get their money from is actually from a retailer...but people might be noticing retailers are increasingly saying - well, we don't really want to accept cash."

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