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OPINION: About as productive as a politician's taxpayer-funded trip to Hawaii, as cost-effective as an OSPRI IT project, and as smart as the power-company pylon worker, the Hound gives you the NZ Post business strategy:
Rural Women New Zealand (RWNZ) says a survey among members has found strong opposition to the decision by banks to stop accepting cheques in 2021.
“The response was the highest we’ve ever had for a survey in three years. So, it’s clearly an issue for rural communities,” says RWNZ policy manager, Angela McLeod.
According to the survey, the main use of cheques was paying monthly bills, purchasing farm supplies, and paying tax.
Over 70% of respondents voiced concerns over the phasing out of cheques.
42.5% of respondents said they still wrote out cheques for purchases and expenses.
Of those who used cheques, 75.2% said they posted them to make their payments.
“The goal is not to create a permanent stay of cheques, however, to create a viable option for those who do not yet have the connectivity options,” says RWNZ board member and social issues portfolio convenor Sharron Davie-Martin.
“Rural communities don’t have the technology or access to consistent technology to carry out their banking transactions - they have to use cheques.
“Cheques will get rid of themselves eventually, however, we want places to be able to accept cheques until technology is at a point where farming and rural communities can safely use the internet for their banking transactions,” says Davie-Martin.
She adds that while banks say they will help their customers learn to use online banking, that option wouldn’t help those who don’t have reliable internet connections.
“All we want is for banks and other institutions to just keep accepting cheques until technology is at a point where every rural household has good, reliable internet – that’s it.”
Many farmers around the country are taking advantage of the high dairy payout to get maximum production out of their cows.
In 2015, the signing of a joint venture between St Peter's School, Cambridge, and Lincoln University saw the start of an exciting new chapter for Owl Farm as the first demonstration dairy farm in the North Island. Ten years on, the joint venture is still going strong.
Sheep milk processor Maui Milk is on track to record average ewe production of 500 litres by 2030, says outgoing chief executive Greg Hamill.
Parliamentary Commissioner for the Environment Simon Upton is calling for cross-party consensus on the country's overarching environmental goals.
Changes to New Zealand’s postal service has left rural communities disappointed.
Alliance is urging its farmer-shareholders to have their say on the proposed $250 million strategic investment partnership with Dawn Meats Group.
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