Life in the quiet Mid Canterbury farming hub of Ashburton takes a step closer towards normality today when its Work and Income office re-opens for the first time since September's double-shooting tragedy.
Memories and emotions of the daylight shooting still haunt the tight-knit community almost three months on.
Thousands of townsfolk turned up for a public memorial to slain Winz front counter workers Peggy Turukira Noble, 67, and Susan Leigh Cleveland, 55.
Co-workers Lindy Louise Curtis, 43, who was was shot in the leg and badly injured, and Kim Elizabeth Adams, survived.
They are still unable to speak about their experiences.
"I really don't want to talk," said survivor Ms Adams yesterday as builders were putting the finishing touches on the temporary Cass St building - a prefabricated structure adjacent to the town's police station.
It's located just 350m from the old site on the corner of Cass and Moore streets which has had its signage removed. Paper blocking the windows have started to peel back in the late spring sun.
Two security guards will be permanently stationed at the new office, NZME. News Service has been told.
It will be open from 9.30am today by appointment only.
Ashburton Mayor Angus McKay said the office's reopening is a "positive step" on the town's collective road to recovery.
"I can only wish [the staff] all the best," he said.
On the day of the shooting, Mr McKay said locals were "resilient" enough to cope.
"That has happened, and we are getting on with life," he said.
"We're a small, rural, provincial town and one thing we're extremely good at is looking after each other."
Morris Baker, president of the Ashburton RSA where Ms Noble was a popular regular, agreed the new office would help the town move on.
"We don't want to keep bringing up bad memories all the time."
The Ministry of Social Development confirmed that along with Work and Income, Studylink and Senior Services will operate a full service out of the offices from today.
Child, Youth and Family will move in early February.
"These temporary offices mean we can open our doors to the community again after the September tragedy," said Ministry of Social Development regional commissioner, John Henderson.
"I'd like to thank all those people and agencies who've supported us following the tragic loss of our colleagues.
"We're focussed on getting back to providing a face-to-face service and this enables us to do that."
Social Development Minister Anne Tolley and Police Minister Michael Woodhouse will attend an "informal opening" on Friday.
Homeless man Russell John Tully, 48, has made no pleas to two charges of murder, two of attempted murder, theft, unlawful possession of firearms and ammunition, and setting a man trap.
He will reappear at the High Court in Christchurch for a pre-trial callover on February 10 next year.
- Kurt Bayer of NZME. News Service
