Update on mail delivery changes

Update on mail delivery changes

New Zealand Post is on track to start the move to a different way of delivering standard mail later this year.

A change to the number of days standard mail will be delivered was announced in 2013 following an update to the Deed of Understanding with the Government. It is one of a number of steps New Zealand Post is taking in its five-year transformation plan to adapt to a rapid and ongoing decline in letters being sent, and to refocus on its growing parcels business.

New Zealand Post’s Mail and Communications Chief Operating Officer Ashley Smout confirmed that standard mail will be delivered every second day to households in urban areas starting from July in larger towns and cities, and rolling out to smaller centres over two years. The updated plan was outlined to staff and major customers this week.

“The way we plan to roll out these changes means we will continue to meet our delivery targets for standard letters. We’re confident customers will see very little, if any, difference in the services they receive from New Zealand Post as a result of these delivery changes. This is a priority for us,” Mr Smout said.

“Our target of 95% of standard mail delivered within three working days remains, just as it is now. Six-day-a-week deliveries will continue for priority mail and courier parcels, so people should still check for mail every day.”

Priority mail including FastPost will continue to have a next day delivery target between major towns and cities. Rural deliveries remain largely unchanged.

Alternate delivery days will be tested in parts of Auckland centred around Ellerslie to fine-tune the changes before the July rollout.

New Zealand Post will also hold more extensive trials of new vehicles which will make it easier and more efficient to deliver a range of mail and parcel items throughout the country. A pilot will be held in New Plymouth to test the vehicles as well as greater integration of mail and parcel delivery.

“We’re making these changes in response to people sending fewer letters. Our analysis shows the average household receives letters just three days a week,” Mr Smout said.

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