Winz office waits for safety review

Winz had a satellite site housed in the Featherston Community Centre but it has been shut since September last year, when two Winz workers were shot dead at Ashburton's Winz office.

The Featherston Work and Income NZ service has been closed for the past seven months and it is not known when it will reopen.

Winz had a satellite site housed in the Featherston Community Centre running two days a week but it has been shut since September last year, when two front-counter workers were shot dead at Ashburton's Winz office.

Russell John Tully, a client of the social service, has been charged with their murders and Worksafe has also charged the Ministry of Social Development with failing to take all practicable steps to ensure the safety of its employees.

Katie McRedmond, social development regional commissioner, said all 29 satellite sites were closed after the tragic shootings.

"The Featherston site will remain so as MSD continues to assess its overall security approach.

"No decisions have been made to permanently close any sites."

She encouraged people needing assistance to call the contact centre on 0800 559 009, or visit www.workandincome.govt.nz.

"We can also look at how we can help with transport costs, and can consider requests on a case-by-case basis."

A 12-month independent security review has been ongoing since the shooting and in February phase two of the findings was released by the ministry's chief executive, Brendan Boyle.

He said all the sites would remain closed while implications of the review were worked through.

It is possible some may reopen soon.

"We expect to make decisions on a site-by-site basis in the next few months," Mr Boyle said.

Sonya Logan, chairwoman of the community centre board, said they were waiting with interest for the outcome of the review.

"There's not too many Winz services in South Wairarapa. I could appreciate for clients there might be some pressure," she said.

She also appreciated that the ministry needed to go through the security process.

"They need safety for staff and clients and safety for the community centre and their staff.

"They will be thinking hard about how they will keep staff safe and how they will help smaller rural communities that really need good access to these services."

The nearest Winz offices to Featherston are in Masterton and Upper Hutt.