Work & Income NZ (WINZ) has closed its Raglan service in an action that Raglan locals describe as a massive overreaction. The move by WINZ follows on from the recent tragic shooting of WINZ staff at the Ashburton Community Link Office.
In Raglan, the WINZ service that operated at the Raglan Community House on Tuesdays from 10am to 2.30pm, is already sorely missed. Already Raglan residents are struggling to get to the nearest WINZ office at Dinsdale which is 44km away on the outskirts of Hamilton. A WINZ client, who did wish to be named said, “Beneficiaries will find it hard to find the extra cash for the bus fare to Hamilton.”
Ministry of Social Development acting national commissioner Penny Rounthwaite said the closures are part of an urgent review of security of Work and Income offices throughout the country as a result of the tragedy in Ashburton earlier this month.
“This has meant changing the way we work, including introducing controlled access to our service centres. It has also meant that Work and Income has closed satellite sites and suspended most home visits,” she said. “These measures will be in place until we’re sure of the safest way to offer our services.”
But on Bow St., Raglanders are saying that WINZ staff working in Raglan are at the same risk as anybody working in a Raglan shop or public office.
Sharon Tribe, Manager of the Raglan Community House, said that it is business as usual at the Raglan Community House for all other services. The House continues to be open Monday to Friday with its normal services.
When I went in the Hamilton WINZ office last week, they had 2 security guards operating the security doors. Could it be that Raglan’s service has been cut to save money to pay for all the extra security at other offices?