The doors close on King Country News' Ōtorohanga office next week. The closure has come about because more figures show than 97% of all business is done through the Te Kūiti office on an annual basis.
ONE hundred and twelve years ago, the Ōtorohanga Times office was opened. From that time through to the merger in 1980 with the King Country Chronicle to form the Waitomo News before its name change last year to King Country News, the office has been a feature of the main street. As indeed it has been in Te Kūiti, where its main office has since been. But the past three years, thanks to Covid, have seen a “new normal” not only for Ōtorohanga but for the whole country, with changes to many businesses and the way people carry out their usual way of doing it. Many rural banks have closed, cheques have been relegated to the past and people have become much more comfortable with the idea of doing their business online. So much so, that in the past 12 months alone, figures show 97% of all King Country News’ business has come directly through its Te Kūiti branch doors, or via its phones or office staff emails, which meant something had to change. Beacon Media Group chief executive Aaron Buist said while the decision to close the Ōtorohanga office has been necessary, it was still an extremely difficult one. “There is so much history, and to be honest, we’ve held on to that history and delayed the decision longer than would normally have been the case because of the sentimental value it has within the community, and because of the amazing staff who have manned the office for so many years in Chris Duirs and Mihi Carr. “These two, along with Ron Duirs, have done a fantastic job and we cannot thank them enough for the service they have provided throughout the years,” he said. “But we also realise our readers and advertisers are comfortable with the very good level of service that has been and will always be provided by our sales staff, our editorial team and our administration because of the levels of customer interaction that comes directly through the Te Kūiti office from all areas of the King Country region.” He said he wanted to emphasise to Ōtorohanga readers and advertisers their papers would still be delivered as per usual, including the main street businesses. “The office will close a week from now on December 22,” Aaron said. “We’d like to reiterate, if anyone has any queries or concerns, please feel free to contact our staff in the Te Kūiti office at any time.”
