Rotorua banks have been hit by a surge of people emptying their piggy banks before the silver coins are phased out.
However, ANZ Rotorua branch assistant manager Linda Carter says people don't need to rush, as the old coins will be accepted long after the new ones areintroduced.
From July 31, 50c, 20c and 10c coins will be replaced by smaller and lighter ones and the 5c coin will be taken out of circulation. Mrs Carter said although a lot of people were bringing in bags of coins, the bank expected a bigger rush of people in July.
Many customers had also been donating coins to the "5s for under fives" Plunket appeal, she said.
ANZ Bank teller Billy Marriner said she had been encouraging customers to bring their coins in soon.
"I think there's going to be a panic later on."
There will be a transition period of three months, during which both old and new coins can be used. From November 1 you will not be able to use the old coins although the Reserve Bank in Wellington will always accept them.
Meanwhile, Rotorua District Council is preparing to modify its central city parking meters to accept the new coins.
Council corporate administration manager Peter Christophers said the $65,000 to $85,000 cost of changing the parking meters would be funded through parking meter fees, not rates. The cost of parking was not expected to rise to help fund the change.
