MEDIA RELEASE

16 December 2010

Inland Revenue announces changes to service delivery

Inland Revenue has confirmed it will maintain offices in all current locations as it changes the way some work is done and further improves services for customers.

Acting Deputy Commissioner, Service Delivery, Heather Daly said Inland Revenue has been looking at where and how it delivers services to make doing business easier and more efficient for customers.

“We need to ensure customers can deal with us quickly and effectively and that we are able to respond to the changing ways they want to do business with us, such as the growing use of online services,” said Ms Daly.

She said at the same time, Inland Revenue needs to provide taxpayers value for money.

“We are maintaining offices and counters in all our current locations, but where and how we do some work is changing,” she said.
“We need to meet the needs of customers in each community and our changes reflect that. We’re focusing on providing local communities with targeted services so it is easy for customers to file returns, pay tax and receive payments.”
“Work not requiring face-to-face contact, such as processing and letter writing, is being grouped in larger centres allowing smaller sites to increase their focus on education and advisory services for their community.”

Ms Daly said some positions are being disestablished in Timaru, Greymouth and Gisborne, as well as a small number at processing sites at Christchurch and Te Rapa.

Full time equivalent positions will reduce as follows: Timaru – 13, Greymouth - 8, Gisborne – 6. Options for relocation and retraining are being explored.

“We have been engaging with staff as we work through the process and they will be fully supported through any changes, ” Ms Daly said.

She said no decisions have been made about any other Inland Revenue sites.

ENDS

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