16 February 2025

Have your say to proposed changes to NZ Post mail services

New Zealanders are sending less mail than ever before. As a result of this reduction in mail volumes, mail delivery frequency is among other key changes to NZ Post’s service obligations.

Changes to NZ Post’s service obligations (set out in a Deed of Understanding) are being proposed by Ministry of Business, Innovation & Employment to ensure the ongoing commercial sustainability of mail delivery.

Among the five key proposed changes are reducing minimum delivery frequency from minimum three days per week in urban areas, to two days per week; minimum five days per week in rural areas, to three days per week.

New Zealanders are being encouraged to provide their feedback to the proposed changes until 5pm, 10 December 2024. Read the full proposal and have your say on the MBIE website here: https://www.mbie.govt.nz/have-your-say/seeking-feedback-on-moving-towards-a-financially-sustainable-mail-service

“The Deed of Understanding is an agreement between the government and NZ Post which outlines certain minimum obligations that must be met. This includes mail delivery frequency and the number of postal outlets available,” says Ministry of Business, Innovation & Employment General Manager, Communications Infrastructure and Trade, James Hartley.

NZers are sending less mail than ever before (Photo courtesy/NZPost)

“The way New Zealanders use the mail service has changed significantly in the 11 years since changes were last made to NZ Post’s service obligations under the Deed.

“New Zealanders are sending less mail than ever before. Compared to 20 years ago, we send around 813 million fewer mail items, and this is expected to further decline to around 100 million items by 2028.

“We recognise the importance of the mail service, particularly to rural and older New Zealanders, and would like to hear feedback about how people are currently using the mail service and how the proposed changes would work for our communities.

“The proposed changes to NZ Post’s service obligations respond to this ongoing decline, while still ensuring New Zealanders can send and receive mail.

“Unlike some overseas countries, the Government does not fund the postal service, so setting the minimum obligations at the right level will ensure NZ post can operate a financially viable service,” says Hartley.

“The proposed changes have been developed to ensure that the minimum level of service would still meet New Zealanders’ mail needs, while providing flexibility for NZ Post to ensure mail deliveries continue into the future,” says Mr Hartley.

Following consultation and analysis of feedback, the Media and Communications Minister will make decisions on any updates to the Deed of Understanding.

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