Last week to pay by cheque at Opotiki District Council

The current rates instalment is due by Friday 21 May 2021, and this marks the last day that Ōpōtiki District Council will accept cheques for any Council payments. After Friday, Council will accept payment electronically (through online banking, phone banking, EFTPOS, credit card, direct debits) or in cash at reception.

Peter Bridgwater, Council’s Chief Financial Officer, said cheques were being phased out around the country.

“By August 2021, no major banks in New Zealand will be issuing or accepting cheques and almost no organisations like councils or businesses will be either.

“Council’s bank, ANZ, will no longer be accepting cheques from the end of the month, so our rates instalment deadline marked a useful cut-off point for Council as well. It means that anyone who is not yet ready to move away from cheques has three months to ensure they have a workable system for payments in time for the next rates instalment.

“I really encourage direct debits if that is an option for you or your trust or organisation. We also have an easy-to-use online services so you can pay with debit or credit cards through that or via internet banking, or even EFTPOS at our reception,” Mr Bridgwater said.

If anyone has any questions about the move away from cheques, they can call in and talk to someone at Council about other payment options available.