New Zealand Post Kihikihi
Young and Susie Yeo are in disbelief. They’re heartbroken for their community after the announcement that NZ Post will withdraw from their Kihikihi Bookshop.
Susie and Young Yeo are sad for their community. Photo: Jesse Wood
Te Awamutu News 5 February 2026
NZ Post has announced the withdrawal of their services from 142 urban retail stores including three in the Waipā – at Hautapu, Kihikihi and Leamington – from June 26.
The nearest alternative stores are about 4km away in the case of Kihikihi and Hautapu and1300 metres for Leamington.
The announcement follows an update to the Deed of Understanding, an agreement between NZ Post and the Government, resetting the minimum store requirements for the first time in about 40 years and allowing the service to change its retail network.
NZ Post retail services will still be available in Cambridge and Te Awamutu.
Young and Susie have owned the Kihikihi Bookshop and NZ Post Centre for 16 years.
“About six months ago, NZ Post announced that they were reducing the nationwide retail network. Then we had a representative from NZ Post come,” Young said.
“He said, they will mainly close the small rural area shops with not much around, not like us. Don’t worry, you are safe because it’s quite a big community. There are so many houses.
“We are very sad. We’ve been with NZ Post for the last 16 years, since 2010. Also, a previous owner is a friend of ours, Jack Knight, he did 22 years in this shop.
“It’s just a shock… we had no idea at all. Everything is out of our control.”
NZ Post retail services will still be available in Cambridge and Te Awamutu.
NZ Post says its 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,” a post on the company website states.
“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.”
The company, which recently made significant changes to its rural delivery services, says it will upgrade some NZ Post-owned stores and introduce retail hubs in “key locations”.
“These hubs will bring multiple services together in one convenient spot, making it easier for customers to send, collect and return parcels in a single visit.”
Susie said it’s been a tough six months for them.
“It’s a very hard time. My husband spent all of August in hospital, because of his heart. Then a few months later, this situation. It’s a bit sad. Kihikihi has lost a very good thing.”
The pair have owned the Kihikihi shop since 2010 and stress that they aren’t closing. Photo: Jesse Wood
Young said their shop will still be open, minus the postal services.
He’s still processing what is happening and hopes to have a new plan of what to sell alongside lottery tickets.
“We just enjoy associating with many, many good people. Some people come past, call into the shop to say hello and have a daily talk, but that could be gone,” Young said.
“If somebody knows a good idea. These days with online, retail is struggling. We need a brilliant idea to keep the shop running.”
The pair feel sorry for the Kihikihi community and the shop’s previous owners.
“Every customer says they’re shocked to have heard the news. They give us many good will messages,” Young said.
Kihikihi is one of 142 NZ Post urban retail services to be withdrawn. Photo: Jesse Wood
