New Zealand Post and Kiwibank are looking for another Otumoetai business to take over operating postal and banking services in the Tauranga suburb on its behalf.

New Zealand Post general manager store network Jon Andrews says the move to outsource the roles is in response to how customers are increasingly using its services.

The Cherrywood PostShop. Photo: Google Earth.

The NZ Post Group announced late last year it would be making changes to its store network, including forming more relationships with local businesses to operate postal and banking services on its behalf.

Jon says NZ Post and Kiwibank will continue to provide services in Cherrywood.

'There will continue to be a physical place where people are able to access the postal and banking services – just from within another local business.

'We are changing in response to how and where customers are using our services, and to remain a viable business.

According to Jon, NZ Post already provides postal and banking services this way in 136 communities nationwide.

He says the approach works well, offering convenient services for customers.

NZ Post is talking to retailers and other businesses about taking over providing NZ Post and Kiwibank services in Cherrywood.

Postal and banking services will not be affected while the search for a new provider is underway.

Jon says it's still early days to say where the companies have been looking to operate the business, but they're committed to having a physical place where people can go to access banking and postal services in the Cherrywood area.

'We're working through the details of where this will be. This process will take some time and we are just at the beginning.

'We'll be talking with local businesses and will advise our staff, customers and the community as soon as we've reached an agreement.”

Jon says the Cherrywood PostShop will remain in its current location and will continue to offer a full range of banking and postal services until they've secured a business to host the services.

'There will continue to be a physical place where people are able to access postal and banking services in Cherrywood, but this will just be from another local business in the community.”

This means the customer experience can be more convenient because of longer opening hours and access to postal and banking services while doing other shopping, says Jon.

'There's also the added business and foot traffic for that business and in some cases more convenient parking.”

There is currently two post centres within 2km of the Cherrywood PostShop, with the Tauranga PostShop 3.4km away.