As someone who previously had a GoFly card and no other banking with Kiwibank, I can assure you that the only two times you need to go to a branch for banking matters is 1) ID verification and 2) adding PIN to you card. Kiwibank's online banking works quite well and I found the platinum phone CS very pleasant and professional to deal with.
I also fully share your sentiment toward Kiwibank. My wife even refused to use her GoFly card on the basis that it had a big Kiwibank logo on it. Perhaps that explains the complete absence of Kiwibank branding on the front of the new card? BTW, wife is happy with the new card. I should point out that Kiwibank now has a separate queue at many post offices, and they've toned down the pseudo-patriotic slogans quite a bit.
Last edited by Saxphile; Oct 3, 2013 at 3:04 pm
Reason: Correction