NZ Post Centre Arrowtown

Post office and gift shop. However witnessed an appalling outburst towards an Asian female. The shop attendant flew out from behind a closed door and yelled at this female to not take photos. The girl apologised and was embarrassed however the female shop attendant continued her attack by pointing to signs on the door which had a picture and words in english no photos. The Asian girl continued to apologise. Absolute rudeness, maybe next time a please do you mind no pictures allowed would be more acceptable. The two attendants then proceeded to read a postcard from a female colleague on leave. Clearly politeness is lacking in this establishment.

Original by hand connected telephone centre and post office

Great service and an amazing collection of gifts and children books!

Here’s a letter I wrote to PM of New Zealand after an incident at this post officeDear Prime Minister of New Zealand Jacinda Ardern/ Her assistantThank you for taking the time out of your busy schedule to read this email, but I am afraid I need to draw your attention to a racially charged incident in a post office in Arrow Town.The whole event transpired around 2-3pm inside the post office on April 30th.A Chinese couple were in this post office. Not knowing the customs and the regulations of New Zealand because they were tourists, they innocently took out their mobile phones to take pictures of the décor of the post office. They did not see the sign prohibiting taking photos. Disproportionately outraged by that, the staff member flew out of the counter yelling and screaming while making rapid hand gestures demanding them to stop and delete the photos. The couple were in shock by her overaction and unjustified behaviour but did so without saying anything. They were other customers in the shop so when she returned to the counter they were surprised by what they saw as well because according to them, who apparently knew her socially, she normally was “ a gentle soul/ spirit”, the shop assistant shrugged in response to their query and replied sometimes she needs to do whatever it takes in dealing with CHINAMAN, which is a racial slur.According to Wiki, the term “CHINAMAN” carries derogatory connotations evolved from its use in pejorative contexts regarding the Chinese and other Asians, as well as its grammatical incorrectness which resembles stereotypical characterizations of Chinese accents in English-speaking associated with discrimination. Its usage is nowadays strongly discouraged by Asian American organizations.This is not an isolated incident, for similar horrifying incidents in the same establishment, one does not have to look far than google reviews of this post office. Last time it happened; it involved an Asian female, but it was the same display of racism in broad daylight.Fortunately, I was not there to witness this appalling event, but it left my wife, who was there, shaken up. We permanently reside in Australia and for the past decade, have not seen such outburst of rudeness and racism.New Zealand, including Arrow town, has dark past with Chinese immigration. From what I learned during our stay there, Chinese miners were discriminated against both in a legal and social sense just because they looked different and were not accustomed to New Zealand/Western way of life. Just as our ancestors quietly contributing to New Zealand society by working on claims no European men wanted, modern day Chinese tourists prop up New Zealand’s economy by spending billons of dollars. When we read about the official apology made by prime minister of New Zealand, your predecessor, we were moved. But considering recent events and the google reviews of this post office made by patrons who witnessed similar incidents, it seems facing up the past is far from being enough, the key lies in how to prevent history from repeating itself.Best regards to you and your nationHLAnd Here’s the reply:Dear HLI am writing on behalf of the Prime Minister, Rt Hon Jacinda Ardern, to acknowledge your email of 01 May 2019 concerning an incident in a post office in Arrowtown. Please be assured your comments have been noted.As the issue you have raised falls within the portfolio responsibilities of the Minister for Ethnic Communities, Hon Jenny Salesa, your email has been forwarded to the Minister's office for consideration.Thank you for writing to Jacinda.Dinah OkebyOffice of the Prime Minister

Great dinner, really nice service and people

Historical looking post shop that is still operational. It is located across the street from the museum and beside the postmasters residence restaurant

Possible the best post office in the world! Friendly and helpful post-office-mistress and a small garden with a water fountain.

I found the staff very helpful, but in light of the last comment have only given 4 stars instead of 5. Please remember politeness costs nothing, if it wasn't for the customers we would not have a job!!

A beautiful post shop located in Arrowtown. A great old building with good painting

Absolutely rudeness! Experienced an appalling outburst towards an ASIAN female. The shop attendant flew out from behind the counter SCREAMING 'Excuse me! and rushed to the front of this girl and yelled at her to not take photos. The girl said ok and showed her the photo was being deleted but the female shop attendant continued her attack by pointing to signs on the wall which had a picture indicating no photos. After the attandant attack and shame the girl by using her words and body language like rolled her eyes and pointing fingers. She walked back to the counter PROUDLY with a big smile on her face and continued to serve other customers while keep judging the girl's action. It seems like the attendant just wanted to yell at somebody who can not talk back because they do not speak English. Clearly the girl has deleted the photo and she does not seem to care about this part