Greerton businessman riled over post shop closure

Geoff Ellett outside the Greerton post shop. Photos: Sam Gardner

A business owner is voicing his frustrations over Kiwibank and New Zealand Post's decision to close their Greerton store.

Geoff Ellett, who has owned and operated his business from Maleme Street since 1986, says he has received a letter noting the closure of the branch and, he's disappointed by it.

'The letter informs me that at 5pm on October 5 the Greerton Kiwibank and New Zealand Post shop will close permanently.

'The Kiwibank branch will be relocating to The Lakes, however, the letter does not state this.”

Postal, Courier and Billpay services also will move to Unichem Greerton Pharmacy, right across the road from the current post store, from Monday October 8, he says.

Postal services will be available from Unichem, across the road.

'I feel this is a disgusting move when you consider that Greerton is a social hub in its own right.

'It's populated by a large number of retired people and now those people are somehow going to have to get themselves down to 11th Avenue where there is no parking, or through the traffic quagmire that is being generated as a result of all the changes to our roads.”

One of these people is Geoff's 98-year-old mother, who lives on Fraser Street.

'At the moment it's quite easy for her to use the post store or do her banking because she only has to come a short way up the road to this branch on Chadwick, but with the upcoming changes it's going to be a lot harder for her and many other elderly people.”

Geoff says over the past 22 years, he has shifted between four different banks all of which have closed their Greerton branches to shift elsewhere. Similarly, he's had issues with postal changes.

'I made the change to using DX Mail, and for a long time there was actually a post box in Maleme Street, however this was taken away.

'Then when ANZ was on Cameron Road it worked quite well because I could handle all of my banking and postage in one area – then of course that moved too.”

He says he doesn't understand the reasoning behind the decision.

'When Kiwibank closes down, the only banks in Greerton that will be left are BNZ and Westpac, and my guess is that it won't be long until they move too.

'New Zealand Post in itself is a government agency – it's owned by the people and provides a service for the people.

'On top of that it's also compensated fiscally by the fact that it has Kiwibank under its umbrella, not to mention all of the other services they provide like registration and road user charges, passports and Western Union transfers.

'It feels as though they are just giving us the finger, there is no consideration to the Greerton Community.”

SunLive has contact NZ Post for comment and will publish something soon.

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3 comments

Greerton Tauranga

Posted on 05-09-2018 12:14 | By Pill

i totally agree with Geoff regarding his comments around the Kiwibank closing and moving to the Lakes in Tauriko. i understand that one of the other 2 banks left will also be gone soon. All the banks that have decided to exit Greerton have as geoff said put their fingers up at the Greerton public. not only of course is this causing strife in Greerton but also the infrastructure changes that are taking place have been made without full consultation with the Greerton public. Greerton is full of elderly and folk that do not have transport to hand. Once upon a time Greerton was a thriving little village and all businesses were doing well. Recent changes have forced several to close leaving now at least 8 premises vacant. Why you ask? Because banks and Council have gone ahead with moves not taking into considetation the public that have supported the region over the years.


Postal Service staying in Greerton

Posted on 05-09-2018 13:19 | By fluke15

As the Mainstreet Manager of Greerton - we are absolutely delighted to be retaining the postal services we are used to - just across the road form the current post shop. Sad that KiwiBank are moving but so please that Unichem Greerton Pharmacy are taking up the postal services we all rely on so much


Why No Consultation?

Posted on 06-09-2018 07:30 | By Mommatum

I live in Tauranga Central but agree with you and Geoff 100% Pill. Commercial betrayal has become a less desirable trait of the new millenium, a practise began when iconic NZ companies begain outsourcing Kiwi jobs overseas without any consideration for past loyalty. Now more and more we see the same less than desirable attitude from providers of core services like banking, withdrawing from communities without any attempt at consultation. Would it have been too much trouble to conduct a customer survey? To guage the number of elderly or disabled users, or those without cars? Or the number of businesses who rely on access to handy, daily banking services. This is out and out treachery on the banks’ part, knowing full well that core services such as theirs are part of what anchor a community. Greerton deserves so much better.


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