A Thames retiree is upset about the new location for the Ministry of Social Development’s temporary Work and Income NZ (WINZ) office, saying it is inaccessible and lacking in privacy.
The former WINZ office in Pollen St was closed in November last year due to building damage and ongoing issues with remediation.
The office has since been in Queen St, which WINZ said was a temporary solution and it was working to find a permanent location.
Graeme Harvey, who uses a mobility scooter, had an appointment with Work and Income last month.
He said when he arrived at the office, currently located on the ground floor of the Wintec Building at 414 Queen St, he found the ramp was almost too steep for his scooter.
Additionally, there was no space at the top of the ramp to manoeuvre the scooter through the door, he said.
Unable to access the building, Graeme said the WINZ staff member decided to hold his meeting outside, at the top of the ramp.
“That’s personal information, everyone can hear it,” Graeme said.
“When I went to leave, there was a couple of women standing down [at the bottom of the ramp] and all they were doing was shaking their heads.
“They must have heard the conversation.”
Graeme said he was unhappy with the situation, and wanted Work and Income to find a location that was more accessible for mobility device users and the elderly.
On social media, there have been several similar complaints from people being made to wait outside “with no privacy or dignity”, and wheelchair users being frustrated they had been unable to get up the ramp.
The location has been called “unapproachable” and “not welcoming”.
WINZ Waikato regional commissioner Tracey Smith said Thames staff could not recall any instances where they met with clients outside.
“Our staff can recall one occasion where we met with a client using a wheelchair in a separate and private room inside the building, after they had some difficulty accessing our site,” she said.
“We do understand the ramp used to access the building on the interim site can be difficult for people who require disabled access, however we have tried to make our service centres and their amenities as accessible as possible.
“We have processes in place in our Thames office to make sure clients in wheelchairs or electric scooters are able to access our office as any other client would.
“This includes an alternative entrance that can be used if needed.”
Tracey said there was also a security guard at the front door who could assist people into the building.
However, Graeme said he had seen people turned away at the door by the guards, saying they would not allow anyone in without an appointment.
“It is also extremely important that our clients feel able to openly discuss their details with us, and that this is being done with privacy and respect, and we do everything we can to make them feel reassured,” Tracey said.
“If anyone is concerned about their privacy while in a Work and Income office, we would encourage them to let us know.”
