East at Makaraka co-owner Teresa Cook (left) and staff member Michelle White are surprised and disappointed at NZ Post closing their postal service counter in early May. Postal services have been available at the shop for 40 years.
East at Makaraka co-owner Teresa Cook (left) and staff member Michelle White are surprised and disappointed at NZ Post closing their postal service counter in early May. Postal services have been available at the shop for 40 years.
Easts at Makaraka co-owner Teresa Cook is shocked and surprised that their postal service counter will close in early May because of NZ Post restructuring.
“I knew the review was underway, but I was still very surprised,” Cook said.
General manager consumer Sarah Sandoval said customers relied far more on NZ Post stores for collecting and sending parcels compared to letters and the retail network needed to be “rebalanced”.
The closure was disappointing because the postal business “genuinely serviced a large part of the rural community”, she said.
“We get a lot of people from Pātūtahi, Ngātapa, Makauri, even from Nūhaka and Mahia.
“Those rural people, that’s who I worry about, and the elderly in the local community.”
Cook said postal services had been available at Easts for 40 years.
She has worked there since 1987, and with husband Dean, bought the business in 1990.
Easts at Makaraka co-owner Teresa Cook (left) and staff member Michelle White say they appreciate the positive feedback from customers after NZ Post announced Easts postal service counter was one of 142 around the country to be closed.
The use of letters had definitely declined, but parcels had picked up, Cook said.
The usage of parcels was “quite substantial”, with online shopping being a major contributor, particularly at certain times of the year.
“For us, the post office has picked up, if anything. We have loved offering this service and have always had such positive feedback from our customers.
“We have some wonderful customers and a loyal customer base. We have always taken great pride in providing a professional service to everybody. We will be very sad to say goodbye to NZ Post products.”
Gisborne Herald Facebook feedback after the closure of postal services was announced included:
“Stopping in at Makaraka is just so much easier than trying to get into town to post something. It really is the most convenient post shop in Gisborne. You lovely ladies have such a five-star service, I wish there was some way to make them reconsider.”
“Sorry to hear, you guys are awesome.”
“How disappointing, Easts in Makaraka has been my go-to for years! The ladies are wonderful and they are reliable!”
Cook said Easts would continue to trade as postal services were “fortunately one string to our bow”.
The closure would impact on the business, “but Easts will definitely keep on going”.
Easts also sell saddlery/equestrian-related products, sheepskin products, handbags, luggage and wallets, knives and tools, toys, footwear, RM Williams products and manufacture shade sails.
In a statement on its website, NZ Post said: “Our current network is significantly larger than what’s needed for today’s mail volumes. Instead of sending letters, we’re seeing more and more customers sending parcels, picking up online orders, and returning items.
“With this growing customer need for more parcel-focused services, we’re adapting what we do to give Kiwis the right offerings in the right locations. A well-designed network supports our ability to keep improving what we do, all while becoming more efficient and sustainable.”
