23 Aug 2008

Pacific money charge to be lowered

4:26 pm on 23 August 2008

The Government is to make it easier for Pacific Islanders in New Zealand to send money home.

At the moment, charges to send money to the region can be up to 25% of the amount involved.

But the Government hopes regulation changes, which could be in force by the end September, could lower the charges to about 7%.

The Ministry of Pacific Island Affairs says sending money to the Pacific is almost five times more expensive than to other regions.

Chief executive Colin Tukuitonga says banks and money transfer agencies are ripping off the people who can least afford it.