A Labour of Love in the Heart of Eltham is at the heart of The Old Eltham Post Office and your hosts, David and Maria Hancock — a couple who turned a crumbling century-old post office into one of New Zealand’s most charming luxury stays. "We believe travel should be memorable, romantic, and restorative — especially later in life. Our mission is simple: To provide a luxurious, peaceful retreat in a heritage setting, offering warmth, privacy, and a sense of wonder for every guest."

Originally from Romania, Maria brings an elegant European flair to The Helena Suite. Her sense of design, textiles, and detail can be felt in every curtain, cushion, and wallpapered nook.

Maria escaped the Ceausescu regime in the 1980s and found a new beginning in New Zealand. “I never dreamed I’d live in a post office,” she laughs. “But now, I can’t imagine living anywhere else.”

David was born in Wellington and has spent a lifetime immersed in storytelling — first through photography and publishing, then in creating unique guest experiences. After a career across New Zealand and Australia, he now brings that same creative spirit to South Taranaki.

“I love sharing this forgotten corner of Aotearoa with guests,” David says. “You don’t have to travel far to feel like you’ve discovered something rare.”