Don't Just Dismiss The Kiwibank Says North Shore Alliance MP

28th March 2002

Alliance MP Grant Gillon is telling National MP Murray McCully not to be too disheartened at missing the opening of the Albany Kiwibank, as he can find out more about the New Zealand owned bank by calling into his local branch. This is in response to revelations that Mr McCully received an invitation to be a 'foundation' customer last week.

"The great advantage with the Kiwibank is that profits stay in New Zealand communities. Would Mr McCully prefer all the profits heading out of the North Shore and off shore?"

"It is important for consumers to weigh up all options when making important decisions over services such as banking. I am really pleased that the introduction of the Kiwibank has led other banks to lower their fees.

"Kiwibank is already a great success for consumers.

"On his website this week Murray McCully revealed that he had received a letter from Kiwibank inviting him to honour the occasion of the Kiwibank opening on Don McKinnon Drive," said Mr Gillon.

The letter states "We would be delighted if you would be able to attend this event. This would be an opportunity for Kiwibank to publicly record its thanks for your support of the bank by presenting you with your Foundation Customer certificate..."

Grant Gillon is delighted to have attended the opening, and to have received his Kiwibank Foundation Customer Certificate. He is disappointed that Mr McCully did not attend the opening, as he would have been able to catch up with his former National party colleagues, Rt Hon Jim Bolger and former National Party Divisional Chair Dr Ross Armstrong.

"If Murray McCully has a genuine interest in the future economic development of the North Shore, I urge him not to disregard the Kiwibank out of hand. The alternative to banking with a New Zealand owned bank is to see more and more bank profits disappear off shore," said Grant Gillon.

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