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Otago Daily Times
04-08-2025
- General
- Otago Daily Times
Postmistress bids farewell after 26 years
After more than two decades of handwritten letters, local gossip and cheerful hellos across the counter, Val Butcher is stepping down from her post. The much-loved postmistress of the Ophir Post Office has called time on her 26-year career, retiring from one of New Zealand's most iconic buildings. But do not expect her to disappear. "I'll probably still loiter at the Post Office to catch up with people," she said with a smile. "And I've still got to write my monthly community newsletter, so no peace for the wicked. "Retirement's just another kind of delivery, really. You never quite know what's in the next envelope." Ms Butcher first stepped behind the old schist counter as a relieving staffer — and never really left. "Right time, right place," she said. "Right job for me." And what a job it has been. Nestled in Central Otago and watched over by Heritage New Zealand Pouhere Taonga, the 1886-built Ophir Post Office is not just a postcard-perfect tourist magnet, it is the country's longest-operating post office. Ms Butcher said it was the people who made the place so special. "The community is very caring, and visitors bring so much with them — stories, histories, a few wrong turns." Ms Butcher's tenure saw her through bitter winters ("the mail must get through, regardless"), plenty of milestones, and more than a few tearful goodbyes. But it is the everyday joys that have stayed with her — surprise engagements, newborn announcements and even the odd birthday cake passed over the counter. "It's these lovely little moments that really rub off on you," she said. "You end up being part of everyone's life in some small way." Of course, not every day was easy. "There have been sad times, too," she said. "But this community always rallies. That's what makes Ophir so special." Her highlights? There have been many. Being featured in Shepherdess magazine was a proud moment — though it was outshone last year when her grandson, Finn Butcher, struck gold at the Paris Olympics in the men's kayak cross. "I didn't win the medal, but I reckon I got just as many congratulations," she laughs. "People were popping in all week." Ms Butcher credits her time at the Post Office with giving her confidence, friendships and — perhaps most importantly — a very solid reason to get out of bed. "I've never been lonely," she said. "This job connected me to everyone." As she hands over the keys and closes the ledger for the last time, Ms Butcher is looking forward to a slower pace — and a bit more time with her children and grandchildren. Still, no-one is quite convinced she is gone for good. "She'll be back," one local said. "She can't resist a good chinwag and a cuppa." And Ms Butcher does not deny it. — Allied Media
Scoop
03-08-2025
- General
- Scoop
Ophir's Postmistress Retires After 26 Years
A much loved heritage stalwart is retiring after more than two decades serving her community. Val Butcher, the postmistress of the historic Ophir Post Office, is leaving her old stamping ground after 26 years working in the iconic building which is cared for by Heritage New Zealand Pouhere Taonga. But although her days of serving the public behind the counter may be over, she won't be going far. "I'll probably still loiter at the Post Office to catch up with people - and I've still got to write my monthly community newsletter," she says. With its distinctive schist finish, the Ophir Post Office is one of the most photographed buildings in the South Island, drawing visitors from around the country and the world. Built in 1886, it also happens to be Aotearoa New Zealand's longest running post office. History aside, however, it's the people that make the place so special according to Val. "The community is very caring, and the visitors that come from all over the world all bring something in the way of knowledge," she says. "It's amazing how many people who have helped me learn the histories, or have passed on their stories of the place, or their own family history of the place." Although Val won't miss getting up on cold winter mornings - "the mail must get through regardless" - she will miss the daily interactions with the community she loves. "Things happen everyday that are enjoyable - it's these moments that are so lovely that rub off on me; people celebrating birthdays or having a new grandchild. The Post Office is such a hub for this community that the news is often delivered here too, and that makes it so enjoyable," she says. "There have been sad things that happen as well - but the community rallies around when they do." Val almost fell into the role by accident after doing some relieving work for the previous post mistress. Val was the obvious replacement when she left. "I was just here at the right time and the right place, and it was the right job for me," she says. "I feel it has given me a lot of confidence - and it got me out of bed each day!" Highlights over the years have included being profiled in Shepherdess magazine, and of course celebrating her grandson Finn Butcher's gold medal at the 2024 Paris Olympics after he won the mens' Kayak Cross event. "People popped in to congratulate me all week," she says. Val believes the Post Office is a place that keeps the community together, and says the role has kept her connected with the community. "I have never been lonely and have made so many friends," she says.
