Rural communities, the elderly and vulnerable face more stress and less independence due to the removal of cheque payments, say those who oppose the move. 

ANZ Bank, from today (Monday, May 31), becomes the latest organisation to stop taking cheques. 

All New Zealand's banks are phasing them out by July, which means councils, supermarkets and all other organisations can't accept them either. Countdown stopped taking cheques as payment last Monday.

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Grey Power Southland advocate Stephnie de Ruyter says that's a huge concern for many of the 2500 local members, as well as people with disabilities, dyslexia and those in rural areas with limited internet connectivity.  

“It's very difficult. The main thing is it makes it much harder for vulnerable people to manage their own finances. It takes away their independence, it exposes them to risks of fraud and scams." 

De Ruyter says the banks have been proactive in offering guidance for online banking and tele banking, but have not provided an alternative for those who struggle to use them, such as a ledger system. 

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“I think it’s very high-handed of the banks to take that decision, even though there’s been a long lead-in time, they’ve made a decision without really giving the most vulnerable people a viable alternative.  

“If you’re an 89-year-old elderly lady who’s just had hip-replacement surgery and you don’t have a computer and don’t wish to have one, no use for one, how do you pay our bills if you can’t post a cheque?" 

Many older people have been able to adapt, but others have not, she says. 

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"There’s a huge trust issue involved for many older people if they are unable to operate the new systems themselves.

"If they can’t do online banking, then they have to ask a friend or relative to do it for them, and that’s a huge leap of faith which opens the door to all sorts of potential difficulties." 

A Rural Women NZ survey earlier this year revealed that 61 per cent of respondents were worried about the disappearance of cheques.

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Grey Power's national office, along with Federated Farmers, Blind Low Vision NZ and the Dyslexia Foundation of New Zealand, is backing calls for an inquiry by the Parliamentary finance and expenditure select committee. 

"We will continue to remind the banks that they have a responsibility to society that extends beyond their shareholders, which may be a wee spot of wishful thinking," de Ruyter says. 

Invercargill's National Party MP Penny Simmonds believes the decision affects "people’s independence, their dignity and will likely create social problems or abuse".

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"We also don’t want people, particularly seniors, drawing large amounts of cash from their accounts and keeping money at home, with the obvious safety issues involved," Simmonds says.

Labour earlier this month voted against an inquiry into how banks and government agencies will make sure people can still manage their finances without cheques.

"Sadly this reflects the Government’s disregard for some of the most vulnerable people in our community.  

"National is pushing for an investigation and I intend to put my full support behind it."

Invercargill MP Penny Simmonds

Minister for Seniors Ayesha Verrall says: "With the phasing out of cheques, I have spoken directly to the banking industry and sought assurances about the various alternatives they have in place, and additional supports they’re providing to people facing what can be a difficult transition.

"The Office for Seniors has a programme around digital literacy, which is helping older New Zealanders use the internet and access its benefits."

It was announced this morning that the Government's work to break down digital barriers faced by older New Zealanders has received international recognition.

The Digital Literacy Training for Seniors programme, delivered by Digital Inclusion Alliance Aotearoa and the 20/20 Trust, and funded through the 2019 Wellbeing Budget, won the education category in the 2021 IDC Smart City Asia Pacific Awards.

ANZ said fewer than 1% of its customers are still using cheques. 

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"We offer alternative options to receive and make payments that are faster and more secure than using cheques," it said. 

"As a result cheque usage has decreased significantly over the years.

"Removing cheques has been a carefully considered decision, based on the changing ways our customers bank with us. We understand that it's a big change for some of our customers and we apologise for any inconvenience."

Southland Grey Power and Eastern Southland Grey Power in Gore have details of organisations, such as SeniorNet, Southland District Council and others who offer instruction on the use of computers and specifically for internet banking.

Call 03 214 5008.