NZ Post weighs its options in Mana

New Zealand Post is in negotiations with more than one potential franchisee to open a smaller scale PostShop in Mana, it was revealed last week.

The organisation had representatives at two public meetings at St Barnabas Church last Tuesday, answering questions on the shop’s future.

Downsizing would happen but Holden Hohaia, New Zealand Post’s government and communities relations manager, said he was intent on providing the same banking, postal and bill paying services as there are now.

He said the process was likely to take three to six months.

‘‘Out of 265 PostShops nationwide, more than half [136] are in the franchise model, operating with an existing business, such as Paper Plus or Take Note,’’ he said. ‘‘We remain committed to a presence in the Mana community – it will just look different.’’

Two possible sites could be the New World and BP service station, but Hohaia said several possibilities were being looked at.

Questions from among the 25 people included if the post boxes would remain ( they will), how potential losses will be covered (they are likely to be shared with the franchisee), possibly moving to Plimmerton or Paremata (not being considered) and whether downsizing was a cost- cutting exercise.

‘‘No, this is about providing the same service to the community as we have always done,’’ Hohaia said. ‘‘In many instances, we are not able to justify stand- alone PostShops any more. The franchisee arrangement is also better for local businesses because they get that foot traffic.’’

Facilities to pay bills, register cars, post letters and parcels, and access Kiwibank would all be available in the new store, Hohaia confirmed.