Cr Chris Staynes voiced the fear as councillors at yesterday's Dunedin City Council economic development committee voted to express their concerns directly to the two organisations, as well as to the city's MPs.
The move came a week after it was confirmed Kiwibank wanted to open a stand-alone branch in Dunedin's CBD, and was consulting staff on the future of four existing branches in North Dunedin, South Dunedin, Moray Pl and Mosgiel.
NZ Post was also reported to be planning to close, and then franchise out, postal services in its North Dunedin and South Dunedin branches.
Cr Staynes yesterday questioned the move, saying it came just as the council was trying to breathe new life into South Dunedin's commercial zone.
''It beggars understanding to think that an organisation that was set up to serve New Zealanders, and that's all New Zealand, would choose to look at downsizing its operations from two suburbs in New Zealand who need their services, and probably use their services, the most.''
Other councillors worried the move could affect older residents, particularly in South Dunedin, who still preferred counter service.
Cr David Benson-Pope, who put forward the resolution, said the stores in North and South Dunedin appeared to be ''extremely busy'', and the council needed to push for a rethink.
''It would be a shame if New Zealand Post was left in any doubt about this council's view,'' he said.
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Comments
This is proof and comical, this proves the most of the council does not have a clue, too little too late, the DCC has slept on South Dunedin, stopped business setting up in Dunedin, failed power poles, failed drains, failed bus routes failed to listen to its people and let the place run down, If it wasn't all true it would be funny and make a great tv series. it is time the Mayor retired to his allotment and planed his veg and made a scarecrow, Benson-Pope just appears to pop up and pipes up and then takes cover, some might call it the seagull effect. I'd follow him just out of curiosity. Dunedin seriously needs to look at its council my bet would be to let Councillor Lee Vandervis be the mayor who has business sense, communicates and gives valid feedback.
You are given considerable leeway to comment off topic.
What do you think of the actual issue: NZ Post leaving town?
Should businesses take on Post work, or decline it?