NZ Post may move back to historic site

New Zealand Post could return to the historic Napier Post Office building it vacated almost seven months ago because of an earthquake risk assessment which scored the building below requirements for government departments.

Building owners' spokesman Gerald Grocott, who indicated late last year demolition of the upper floors was an option, said yesterday it was now expected the building on the corner of Hastings and Dickens Sts will be retained and renovated.

"Latest engineers' reports indicate it's a little bit stronger than it's been given credit for," he said.

Mr Grocott said negotiations were taking place to see if New Zealand Post would return to the Post Office building, which opened in 1928 and survived almost unscathed the Hawke's Bay Earthquake just over two years later.

The building has been empty since it was vacated by New Zealand Post in July, when it moved with the banking facilities to expected short-term premises in the Balmoral shopping centre off Wellesley Rd.

The move included private boxes for the delivery of mail to dozens of inner-city businesses and offices.

New Zealand Post was late yesterday unable to comment on its situation in Napier.