Piha's post office may have to sell its last stamp because of controversy over the building, reports Valerie Schuler
Jack Kingston put his heart and soul into restoring Piha Post Office to service 20 years ago.
Now the fate of the seaside service is uncertain, leaving 89-year-old Mr Kingston and the community disappointed.
The small Seaview Rd telephone exchange building is one of just three community-run post offices left in the country.
The building is caught up in debates over Marc Ellis' controversial cafe proposal and its days could be numbered.
North Piha resident Mr Kingston says he would hate to see the post office close.
``It's a central part of the community and part of our daily lives. I drive down three times a week, get my mail and meet up with others for a chat.'
After Telecom gave the building to the community in 1987, Mr Kingston and a bunch of other ``local heroes' renovated it.
But, in 2006, the building was sold with the land bought by Marc Ellis and a group of others to build the area's first cafe.
Preserve Piha Ltd, the company that bought the land, intended to give the building back to the community.
``But ongoing delays and growing court costs have left us with no option but to charge for it,' says director Richard Hatton.
Since last month, the Piha Resident and Ratepayers Association has payed $155 a week rent. The only other option is to buy the building for $10,000 and move it.
``The community assumed the documents from 1987 overruled the sale of the building, but apparently not,' says Tony Dunn of the local resident and ratepayers association.
``Telecom originally offered us money to move the building, but now they have gone very quiet.' Telecom media relations executive Ian Bonnar says:
``It's up to Preserve Piha to decide what to do with the property and it has not had anything to do with Telecom for several years.'
Continuing to pay $155 a week is not an option, as the postal depot makes only about $3000 a year.
While Piha Domain seemed like the obvious place, Waitakere City Council's parks management plan strictly forbids buildings on reserve land.
If no suitable location is found soon, the post centre may have to close.
Mr Kingston, who has lived at Piha for more than 40 years, says it would be a shame.
``It's part of the history of Piha. Many of us rely on its over-the-counter services. It's the only place we can post parcels and buy stamps.'
The matter was discussed at a resident and ratepayers' meeting last week. About 60 people turned up to voice their support.
``We plan to get a legal opinion on the ownership of the building,' says Mr Dunn.
Earlier this year, Waitakere City Council gave consent for a 35-seat cafe at Piha. But Protect Piha Heritage has lodged an appeal with the Environment Court. The case will be heard in November.
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