Construction of new Dunedin Customhouse underway

The New Zealand Customs Service will relocate to a new location in Dunedin later this year following the building of a new Customhouse in the city.

Construction of the purpose-built facility has just started on the corner of Portsmouth Drive and Strathallan streets.

The single-storey building will be constructed and owned by a private company, Southern Realty, which will lease it to the New Zealand Customs Service on a long-term basis.

The building will house Customs Dunedin operations and the Service’s national Information Delivery Unit, which manages all of Customs’ publishing, including its internet and intranet sites.

The Customs Service has 15 full-time staff in Dunedin and another 12 officers who work at the city’s international airport when flights arrive or depart.

For the past 12 years Dunedin Customs staff have been based in part of Investment House on Moray Place.

The new Customhouse will be conveniently located next to the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry Quarantine Service offices.

Customs Minister Rick Barker said the shift would make it substantially easier for Dunedin businesspeople and members of the public to deal with both agencies.

“The relocation of Customs’ services to the new building will greatly improve the working relationship between staff in both agencies and their Dunedin clients.”

The new building would also provide improved access for clients, including better access for the disabled and more carparking.

Construction of the new Dunedin Customhouse is scheduled for completion by 1 June 2003.

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