Kiwibank opening highlights potential

The 200-odd new Kiwibank jobs are just the beginning, Hastings Mayor Lawrence Yule says.

Other big businesses are sitting up and taking notice now that the national bank has successfully opened a contact centre in Hawke's Bay, he said.

Prime Minister John Key officially opened the Hastings office yesterday.

As the pomp and ceremony took place upstairs dozens of new workers buzzed about the open plan office, chatting to customers on the phone and furiously typing away. Mr Yule said Council was working hard to attract other national and international companies to the region.

"The early success has spawned confidence that we can do other similar things and we have a lot of other irons in the fire that look extremely positive."

However, Mr Yule was tight lipped about any potential deals.

The region had an "immense" human resource. He understood more than 3000 people applied for the Kiwibank jobs.

"That's what has blown them [Kiwibank] away and that is a compelling reason why other companies are starting to say we can do things here."

Mr Yule was unashamedly proud of securing the Kiwibank contact centre.

"It's probably the most significant development in terms of employment growth since we started our strategy of getting 1000 new jobs in five years."

Mr Key said it was great to see jobs coming to the regions.

While growth had been strong in the regions, every business that left was "keenly felt" by communities who worried if there would be jobs for them and their children.

"It's fantastic that stuff is coming back. In fact, it makes a lot of sense because you've got a workforce that wants to be here." It created a loyal workforce, a stable business and it was often cheaper being located in the regions, Mr Key said.

Kiwibank chief executive Paul Brock said challenges faced by many businesses in the aftermath of the Christchurch earthquakes made Kiwibank rethink how and where it conducted business.

Without "continuity planning" businesses could be brought to their knees, causing major disruption to customers and business. "By diversifying, our key banking operations can now be done in Auckland, Wellington and now, of course, Hastings."