Mana Postshop plans revealed

Mana PostShop will be moving – next door.

New Zealand Post announced last week it had reached agreement with Small Business Accounting to house the PostShop from July 20.

Postal and banking services will remain, except Kiwibank customers will only be able to make over- the- counter transactions.

To apply for a loan or open an account, customers will have to visit Porirua PostShop or use internet or phone banking.

Tracey Berry, New Zealand Post’s general manager for retail distribution, said the new location was a good fit.

‘‘We received a lot of feedback from customers, specifically around the importance of retaining a Mana location for postal services. This offers plenty of parking with room for the post office boxes, and is convenient to other shops.’’

Mana MP Kris Faafoi, who advocated strongly for the retention of a Mana PostShop, was pleased with the outcome.

‘‘For the most part, the community is not being put out to access the services it has had for decades,’’ he said. ‘‘New Zealand Post’s business model is fast changing, but that doesn’t change the fact that our community wanted to keep basic services in their neighbourhood.’’

Faafoi received more than 800 replies to a survey he sent to north Porirua residents last year. Nearly all wanted the postshop to remain open.

Berry said New Zealand Post would be working with Small Business Accounting owner Shayne O’Hagan in setting up the new site.

It will be business as usual until 5pm on Friday, July 17. Services will resume next door the following Monday.

O’Hagan said his business, which opened in December, would have another element to it by adding postal, courier, PO box and banking services.

Porirua mayor Nick Leggett said considering the Raumati Beach PostShop was to close, Mana PostShop’s future was a win for the community.

He also said he hoped a post office in Porirua’s CBD, rather than at the MegaCentre, would become a reality.