Ohakune postal office may be franchised

Ruapehu Bulletin, Volume 12, Issue 578, 21 March 1995, Page 1

Ohakune postal office may be franchised

New Zealand Post is planning to franchise its Ohakune branch operations. This means a private operator would take over the business and either run the post office at its present site, possibly in conjunction with another business, or re-site it to run in conjunction with an existing business. But the changes will not affect services to the public, according to NZ Post representative Phil Abraham. "In fact if anything they are likely to improve,

with extended hours." He said most franchisees extend the opening hours to include Saturday s and possibly even Sundays. At present NZ Post shops only open Monday to Friday. All agency work such as vehicle licensing will remain with the agency, he said. Mr Abraham said the changes would not be taking place immediately as there was a two to four month process with selecting the right person.

"At this stage we are seeking expressions of interest from people. We've got to make sure we pick the right person." He said if at the end of the process the right person was not found, the present post shop would remain as it is. NZ Post also plans to contract delivery services, with a similar process worked through. Mr Abraham would not comment on the staff issues, but tfie Bulletin understands they would be

required to take redundancy and re-apply for their jobs under the new regime. He said he could not comment on the future of the building if the agency were moved, saying the building was the property of a subsidiary company of NZ Post and they would be making the decision on its future, if necessary. "Whatever Ohakune gets today in the way of services, you will get the same or better," he concluded.