Return of WINZ heals Ashburton's wounds after shooting

The Ashburton Winz office reopens for the first time since the September double-shooting tragedy. Photo / Mark Mitchell

Another step for Ashburton after shooting tragedy

Life in the quiet Mid-Canterbury farming hub of Ashburton takes a step closer to normality today when its Work and Income office reopens for the first time since September's double-shooting tragedy.

Memories and emotions of the daylight shooting still haunt the community almost three months on.

Thousands of townspeople attended a public memorial to slain Winz workers Peggy Turuhira Noble, 67, and Susan Leigh Cleveland, 55.

Co-workers Lindy Louise Curtis, 43, who was was shot in the leg, and Kim Elizabeth Adams survived.

Builders were yesterday putting the finishing touches to the temporary Cass St building, a prefabricated structure next to the town's police station.

It is 350m from the old site on the corner of Cass and Moore Sts.

Two security guards will be stationed at the new office, which will be open from 9.30am today by appointment only.

Ashburton Mayor Angus McKay said the reopening was a "positive step" on the town's road to recovery.

"I can only wish [the staff] all the best."

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."

Maurice Baker, president of the Ashburton RSA at which 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 said that along with Work and Income, Studylink and Senior Services would operate a full service at the offices from today.

Child, Youth and Family would move in in early February.

"These temporary offices mean we can open our doors to the community again after the September tragedy," said ministry 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 focused 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 entered no pleas to two charges of murder, two of attempted murder, and others of theft, unlawful possession of firearms and ammunition, and setting a man trap.

He will reappear in the High Court at Christchurch for a pre-trial callover on February 10.