A functional cash system must be maintained as a safety net to stop absolute exclusion from full social participation but there should also be work to realise a right to essential services and lower chances that whānau are vulnerable to having no choice but using cash in the first place.
Ensuring that all in Aotearoa have a right to access essential banking services is crucial. This issue adds additional urgency and importance to improving the inclusivity of the cash system. To avoid absolute exclusion from the monetary system, the cash system needs to be accessible and fit for use.
Access and use of money is an essential service, allowing access to goods and services, and is at the forefront of financial inclusion. RBNZ has called for submissions on the cash system redesign.
Submission on RBNZ cash system redesign