View source for NZ Post

{{Short description|Postal service in New Zealand}}
{{Primary sources|date=June 2023}}
{{Use New Zealand English|date=January 2013}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=March 2017}}
{{Infobox company
| name = NZ Post
| logo = NZ Post logo.png
| logo_size = 250px
| type = [[State-owned enterprise]]
| industry = [[mail|Postal service]]
| predecessor = [[New Zealand Post Office]]
| founded = {{Start date and age|1987|04|1|df=yes}}
| former_name = New Zealand Post
| hq_location_city = [[Wellington]]
| hq_location_country = New Zealand
| key_people = Carol Campbell (Acting Chair)<br />David Walsh (CEO)<br />Rhonda Richardson (CFO)
| products = Mail service, retail, service centre, banking, air freight, ocean freight, 3PL warehousing, global logistics
| revenue = {{increase}} [[New Zealand dollar|NZ$]]912 million
| revenue_year = fiscal year ending 30 June 2019
| operating_income = {{decrease}} NZ$(21) million
| income_year = 2019
| net_income = {{decrease}} NZ$(121) million
| net_income_year = 2019
| assets = {{decrease}} NZ$1,631 million
| assets_year = 2019
| equity = {{decrease}} NZ$1,162 million
| equity_year = 2019
| num_employees = 4,778
| num_employees_year = 2019
| website = {{url|http://www.nzpost.co.nz|nzpost.co.nz}}
| footnotes = [https://www.nzpost.co.nz/sites/nz/files/uploads/shared/annual-reports/2019-nz-post-integrated-report.pdf New Zealand Post Integrated Report 2019] [https://www.nzpost.co.nz/sites/nz/files/uploads/shared/annual-reports/2019-nz-post-annual-report.pdf New Zealand Post Group Annual Report 2019]
}}
[[File:New Zealand Post Oddshaped.jpg|thumb|right|248px|A NZ Post box with slots for two classes of mail]]

'''NZ Post''' ({{langx|mi|Tukurau Aotearoa}}),<ref>{{Cite web|title=New Zealand Post Group {{!}} New Zealand Post|url=https://www.nzpost.co.nz/about-us/who-we-are/new-zealand-post-group|access-date=2021-08-30|website=www.nzpost.co.nz}}</ref> shortened from '''New Zealand Post''', is a [[Government-owned corporation|state-owned enterprise]] responsible for providing most [[mail|postal services]] in New Zealand.
[[File:New Zealand Post Logo.png|thumb|right|250px|New Zealand Post logo used from 2000 to 2021]]
The [[New Zealand Post Office]], a government agency, provided postal, banking, and telecommunications services in New Zealand until 1987. By the 1980s, however, economic difficulties made the government reconsider how it delivered postal services. For example, in 1987–1988, the postal division lost [[New Zealand dollar|NZ$]]50 million.<ref name="RCampbellpostalbook">{{cite book |last=Campbell |first=Robert |date=13 March 2002 |title=Politics of Postal Transformation: Modernizing Postal Systems in the Electronic and Global World |publisher=McGill-Queen's University Press  |isbn=978-0-7735-2368-5 }}</ref> In 1985, the [[New Zealand Labour Party|Labour Party]] [[Fourth Labour Government of New Zealand|government]] under [[Prime Minister]] [[David Lange]] launched a review, led by [[New Zealand Motor Corporation]] CEO Roy Mason and [[KPMG]] New Zealand Chairman Michael Morris, to find solutions to the Post Office's problems. In its final report, the team recommended transforming the New Zealand Post Office into three [[state-owned enterprise]]s. The government in 1986 decided to follow the Mason-Morris review's recommendations, and passed through [[New Zealand Parliament|parliament]] the State-Owned Enterprises Act, which [[Corporatisation|corporatised]] several government agencies into state-owned enterprises.<ref>{{cite act |title=State-Owned Enterprises Act 1986 |type=Act |number=1986 124 |date=18 December 1986 |url=http://www.legislation.govt.nz/act/public/1986/0124/latest/whole.html#DLM97377 |access-date=5 April 2017 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://nzhistory.govt.nz/culture/the-1980s/1987 |title=The 1980s |publisher=New Zealand Government |access-date=5 April 2017}}</ref> The Post Office's corporatisation was then completed with the 1987 passage of the Postal Services Act.<ref name="RCampbellpostalbook" /><ref>{{cite act |title=Post Office Act Repeal Act 1987 |type=Act |number=1987 115 |date=1 July 1987 |url=http://www.legislation.govt.nz/act/public/1987/0115/latest/whole.html |access-date=5 April 2017 }}</ref> The two acts broke up the New Zealand Post Office into three corporations: the postal service firm New Zealand Post Limited, the savings bank Post Office Bank Limited, later rebranded as [[PostBank]], and the telecommunications company [[Spark New Zealand|Telecom New Zealand Limited]]. Today, only NZ Post remains a state-owned enterprise, as PostBank and Telecom were [[Privatisation|privatised]] in 1989 and 1990, respectively.<ref name="Ecorysstudy">{{cite web |url=https://circabc.europa.eu/webdav/CircaBC/FISMA/markt_consultations/Library/postal_services/studies/CS%20Report%20New%20Zealand%20final.pdf |title=Brief country report: New Zealand |date=17 February 1998 |publisher= Ecorys |access-date=5 April 2017}}</ref>

In its first year of operation, New Zealand Post turned the losses of previous years into a NZ$72 million profit.<ref name="NZposthistory">{{cite web |url=https://www.nzpost.co.nz/about-us/who-we-are/history-of-new-zealand-post |title=History of New Zealand Post |publisher=New Zealand Post |access-date=5 April 2017}}</ref>

A year after the 1987 Post Office Act, the Lange Government declared its plan to fully privatise the post.<ref name="NZposthistory" /> To prepare for privatisation, it decided to gradually reduce NZ Post's monopoly. When it was corporatised in 1987, New Zealand Post had a monopoly for mail up to 500 grams and NZ$1.75 value. This was first reduced to $1.35, then $1, and finally 80 cents. The government also let NZ Post downsize by closing a third of its locations. In 1991–1992, another review came out in support of the government's privatisation plan. However, by the end of 1993 the government abandoned its plan because of public opposition.<ref name="RCampbellpostalbook" />

New Zealand Post began its life with 1,244 post offices, later rebranded as ''PostShops'', of which 906 were full post offices and 338 were postal agencies. On 5 February 1988, 581 post offices or bank branches were downsized or closed,<ref>{{Cite web |date=16 October 1987 |title=List of P.O. closings and modifications. Press |url=https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/CHP19871016.2.39 |access-date=2024-10-13 |website=paperspast.natlib.govt.nz}}</ref> after government subsidies expired. As of March 1998, there were 297 PostShops and 705 Post Centres. However, there are now more outlets than before corporatisation, with 2,945 other retailers of postage stamps.{{citation needed|date=May 2016}}

There was a reduction in the "real" price of postage, with a nominal drop of the standard letter postage rate from 45 cents to 40 cents in 1996, and restoration of the 45 cent rate in 2004. Since then the cost has risen to 50 cents in 2007, to 60 cents in 2010, to 70 cents in 2012, to 80 cents in 2014, to $1 in 2016, to $1.20 in 2018, to $1.30 in 2019, to $1.40 in 2020, to $1.50 in 2021, to $1.70 in 2022, to $2.00 in 2023 and $2.30 in 2024, amidst significant declines in mail volumes.{{Citation needed|date=August 2024}}

== Regulation ==
The [[Fourth Labour Government of New Zealand|Lange government]]'s [[Postal Services Act 1987]] reduced the monopoly of New Zealand Post to a limit of $1.75 and 500&nbsp;grams. It was gradually reduced to 80 cents in December 1991 until the 1998 legislation took effect.

[[File:Postal deregulation New Zealand.jpg|thumb|right|Since the deregulation of the postal sector, different postal operators can install mail collection boxes in New Zealand's streets.]]
The [[Postal Services Act 1998]], passed by a National-New Zealand First coalition government, repealed the 1987 Act. The new law provides for any person to become a registered postal operator by applying to the [[Ministry of Economic Development (New Zealand)|Ministry of Economic Development]] (now [[Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment]]). Registration as a postal operator is compulsory for letters with postage less than 80 cents. Despite the Act, government regulation of the company still requires it to maintain certain minimum service levels, such as frequency of delivery.

New Zealand Post's exclusive right to be the 'sole operator' under the Act for the purposes of the [[Universal Postal Union]] (UPU) expired on 1 April 2003. For practical purposes, this meant another postal operator could theoretically issue stamps identified simply as 'New Zealand' with UPU membership. At around the same time, New Zealand Post adopted a fern-shaped identifying mark on its postage stamps, to be used on the majority of its future issues.{{citation needed|date=October 2015}} As of 2024, New Zealand Post is one of three mail delivery providers in New Zealand to issue stamps, the others being its primary postal competitor [[DX Mail]] and the significantly smaller Whitestone Post.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Dunlop |first1=Ryan |title=Oamaru company takes innovative postal service nationwide |url=https://www.stuff.co.nz/business/90803920/oamaru-company-takes-innovative-postal-service-nationwide |website=[[Stuff (website)|Stuff]] |access-date=12 April 2024}}</ref>

Since 1998, NZ Post has been legally obliged to deliver six days a week. However, in 2013, the company outlined a plan to reduce this to three, in the wake of falling mail volumes.<ref>{{cite news| url= http://www.3news.co.nz/NZ-Post-to-slash-deliveries/tabid/423/articleID/284768/Default.aspx| work= 3 News NZ| title= NZ Post to halve weekly deliveries| date= 29 January 2013| access-date= 28 January 2013| archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20130825175157/http://www.3news.co.nz/NZ-Post-to-slash-deliveries/tabid/423/articleID/284768/Default.aspx| archive-date= 25 August 2013| url-status= dead| df= dmy-all}}</ref> Prime Minister John Key backed the idea, saying people "genuinely understand that the world is changing".<ref>{{cite news| url= http://www.3news.co.nz/NZ-a-world-leader-in-cutting-post-services/tabid/412/articleID/288464/Default.aspx| archive-url= https://archive.today/20130413231756/http://www.3news.co.nz/NZ-a-world-leader-in-cutting-post-services/tabid/412/articleID/288464/Default.aspx| url-status= dead| archive-date= 13 April 2013| work= 3 New NZ| title= NZ leads world in postal cuts| date= 28 February 2013}}</ref>

NZ Post is legally obligated to maintain a certain service level under a [[deed]] of understanding it signed with the [[New Zealand Government]] following the post's [[corporatisation]] in 1987. According to the agreement, last amended in 2013, New Zealand Post has to operate at least 880 service points where basic postal services are available, and within this network 240 so-called “Personal Assistance Service Points,” where additional postal services, such as priority or parcel services, are available.<ref>{{cite web |url= https://www.nzpost.co.nz/sites/default/files/uploads/shared/2013-deed-of-amendment-restatement.pdf |title= Deed of Amendment and Restatement between New Zealand Post and the Crown |publisher=New Zealand Post Group |date=12 December 2013 |access-date=4 April 2017 }}</ref> As of 30 June 2016, New Zealand Post maintained 987 service points, 511 which were personal assistance service points. In all, the post operated 882 retail locations in mid-2016.
The standard of signature/non-signature parcel delivery services, varies with their customers sometimes left a mailbox card instructing them to pick up parcels from the nearest NZ Post Depot or if a small address discrepancy/address damage is discovered, the parcel is invariably returned to the sender, usually with no efforts directed toward telephoning, emailing or looking up the recipient in a directory, whist more effort is prioritised into delivering miss-addressed letters.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.nzpost.co.nz/sites/default/files/uploads/shared/annual%20reports/2016-nz-post-group-full-year-annual-report.pdf |title=New Zealand Post Group Annual Report 2016 |publisher=New Zealand Post Group |date=25 August 2016 |access-date=4 April 2017}}</ref>

== Operations ==
===Mail and courier services===
[[File:New Zealand Post Building (8425774060).jpg|thumb|300px|New Zealand Post headquarters in [[Wellington]].]]
In 1989, New Zealand Post established CourierPost, a nationwide courier company designed to protect the company's parcel business from private competition. In 1991 it purchased [[New_Zealand_Railways_Road_Services|Speedlink Parcels]], formerly run by the [[New_Zealand_Railways_Department|New Zealand Railways]] when it was sold during privatisation. By 1998 CourierPost had become the number one player in the express courier market.<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20000517173457/http://www.courierpost.co.nz/profile.htm CourierPost Profile]. Web.archive.org (17 May 2000). Retrieved on 2013-07-16.</ref>

In 1999, New Zealand Post launched a 50:50 joint operation with Blue Star. The new brand – Books and More – combined bookshop operations with the more traditional PostShop services. After acquiring 100% of the company in 2004 (by this stage the other 50% had been owned by [[WH Smith]], owner of [[Whitcoulls]] bookshops) the entire operation was eventually sold to [[Paper Plus]] in 2005 and by 2006 all had been re-branded as Take Note.<ref>[http://www.nzpost.co.nz/Cultures/en-NZ/AboutUs/MediaCentre/MediaArchive/Jan-Jun04/Media+Release+2+February+2004.htm Media release – 2 February 2004]{{dead link|date=July 2013}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091004160939/http://www.paperplus.co.nz/company-info/company-history |url=http://www.paperplus.co.nz/company-info/company-history |archive-date=4 October 2009|title=Company History: Paper Plus Group}}</ref>

In 2002, New Zealand Post, as part of government policy, opened the bank [[Kiwibank|Kiwibank Limited]] in the majority of its PostShop and Books and More (now Take Note) branches. Kiwibank is wholly owned by New Zealand Post through subsidiaries.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.business.govt.nz/companies/app/ui/pages/companies/1135352/shareholdings |title=Kiwibank Limited (1135352) Registered |publisher=Companies Office}}</ref>

[[File:New Zealand Post Kiwibank The Palms Shirley 2016.jpg|thumb|New Zealand Post and Kiwibank shop at [[The Palms Shopping Centre|The Palms shopping centre]] in [[Shirley, New Zealand|Shirley]], [[Christchurch]]]]

In 2002, NZ Post bought The ECN Group which is now New Zealand Post's corporate venturing arm. Its purpose is to develop and market technologies and services that may replace or enhance New Zealand Post's traditional services. The ECN Group focuses on B2B messaging, business process management and systems integration, with a presence in New Zealand, Australia and Asia.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.nzherald.co.nz/business/news/article.cfm?c_id=3&objectid=3002599|title=NZ Post buys ECN|date=5 November 2002|publisher=[[The New Zealand Herald]] }}</ref><ref>[http://www.ecngroup.co.nz/default.asp?pageId=1 ECN Group] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120419081443/http://www.ecngroup.co.nz/default.asp?pageId=1 |date=19 April 2012 }}</ref>

New Zealand Post also owned 35% of IT firm [[Datacom Group]] until December 2012.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.business.govt.nz/companies/app/ui/pages/companies/132513?backurl=%2Fcompanies%2Fapp%2Fui%2Fpages%2Fcompanies%2Fsearch%3Fmode%3Dstandard%26type%3Dentities%26q%3DDatacom%2520Group|title=Datacom Group Limited|publisher=[[Companies Office of New Zealand]]|date=20 March 2014}}</ref>

New Zealand Post also ran the [[Electoral Enrolment Centre (New Zealand)|Electoral Enrolment Centre]] as a business unit under contract to the Ministry of Justice. Its function was to compile and maintain all [[electoral roll]]s for parliamentary and local government elections.

On 6 July 2010, New Zealand Post registered a 100 percent stake in Localist Limited, a local directory and social media site focusing initially on the Auckland region.<ref>[http://www.business.govt.nz/companies/app/ui/pages/companies/3019483 View All Details]. Business.govt.nz. Retrieved on 16 July 2013.</ref> This holding was sold in 2014 in a management buyout led by the then CEO, Christine Domecq.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.nzpost.co.nz/about-us/media-centre/media-release/new-zealand-post-sells-localist|title=New Zealand Post sells Localist|date=2 April 2014|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140822133018/https://www.nzpost.co.nz/about-us/media-centre/media-release/new-zealand-post-sells-localist|archive-date=22 August 2014}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.stuff.co.nz/business/industries/9896597/NZ-Post-sells-Localist|title=NZ Post sells Localist|website=[[Stuff (website)|Stuff]] |date=2 April 2014|language=en|access-date=2020-03-26}}</ref>

One of the ways New Zealand Post is trying to make up for lost revenue due to fewer people sending letters is partnering with other companies. The Post on 3 April 2017 announced that it will work with fast food restaurant chain [[KFC]] to have postal drivers deliver KFC's food to customers. The partnership will be piloted in the northern city of [[Tauranga]], then expanded to more locations across New Zealand.<ref>{{cite news |author=Eleanor Ainge Roy |title=Chicken run: New Zealand Post will start delivering KFC to beat mail slump  |url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2017/apr/04/chicken-run-new-zealand-post-will-start-delivering-kfc-to-beat-mail-slump |work=[[The Guardian]] |location=Dunedin |date=4 April 2017 |access-date=6 April 2017 }}</ref>

On 24 June 2021, New Zealand Post announced a new logo and rebranding to unite their NZ Post, Pace and CourierPost brands into one brand in order to reduce confusion among customers. This rebranding exercise costs NZ$15 million and will take place over a period of three years; focusing on the repainting of courier vans. The company is also spending $170 million to establish new processing centres in [[Auckland]], [[Wellington]], and [[Christchurch]].<ref>{{cite news |title=NZ Post spends $15 million on a new look to unite its courier brands |url=https://www.stuff.co.nz/business/125534833/nz-post-spends-15-million-on-a-new-look-to-unite-its-courier-brands |access-date=25 June 2021 |work=[[Stuff (website)|Stuff]] |date=25 June 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210623180542/https://www.stuff.co.nz/business/125534833/nz-post-spends-15-million-on-a-new-look-to-unite-its-courier-brands |archive-date=23 June 2021|url-status=live}}</ref>

In late June 2023, NZ Post chief executive David Walsh announced plans to lay off 750 jobs over the next five years due to declining mail volume. Total annual mail volume had declined from over 1 billion items in 2003 to around 220 million items in 2023.<ref>{{cite news |title=NZ Post to cut 750 jobs as mail volumes fal |url=https://www.1news.co.nz/2023/06/27/nz-post-to-cut-750-jobs-as-mail-volumes-fall/ |access-date=20 July 2023 |work=[[1News]] |publisher=[[TVNZ]] |date=27 June 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230627122415/https://www.1news.co.nz/2023/06/27/nz-post-to-cut-750-jobs-as-mail-volumes-fall/ |archive-date=27 June 2023|url-status=live}}</ref> In late March 2024, NZ post confirmed it would proceed with plans to lay off 750 workers over the next five years due to declining mail volume.<ref>{{cite news |title=NZ Post confirms 'significant job losses' amid mail decline |url=https://www.1news.co.nz/2024/03/26/nz-post-confirms-significant-job-losses-amid-mail-decline/ |access-date=27 March 2024 |work=[[1News]] |publisher=[[TVNZ]] |date=26 March 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240327231534/https://www.1news.co.nz/2024/03/26/nz-post-confirms-significant-job-losses-amid-mail-decline/|archive-date=27 March 2024|url-status=live}}</ref>

In early April 2024, NZ Post confirmed that it would stop delivering newspapers and parcels to rural addresses on Saturdays from 29 June 2024, with the exception of 17 rural delivery runs that would be phased out by June 2025.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Rae |first1=Sally |title=NZ Post cuts Saturday deliveries to rural area |url=https://www.odt.co.nz/business/nz-post-cuts-saturday-deliveries-rural-areas |access-date=11 April 2024 |work=[[Otago Daily Times]] |date=9 April 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240409021242/https://www.odt.co.nz/business/nz-post-cuts-saturday-deliveries-rural-areas |archive-date=9 April 2024|url-status=live}}</ref>

In early November 2024, the [[Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment]] (MBIE) proposed five changes to NZ Post's services including reducing the frequency of mail deliveries in both urban and rural areas; gradually reducing the number of postal outlets from 880 to 400; establishing cluster and community boxes for new addresses; converting existing delivery points to community points at a rate of 5% per year; and reducing the review period from five to three years. The Postal Worker's Union president John Maynard expressed concerns about NZ Post's proposal to stop delivering to individual mail boxes.<ref>{{cite news |title=Individual letterboxes to go? |url=https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/national/532755/individual-letterboxes-to-go |access-date=15 November 2024 |work=[[RNZ]] |date=4 November 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241104035739/https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/national/532755/individual-letterboxes-to-go |archive-date=4 November 2024}}</ref>

=== Transport ===
Early mail was carried on foot and by ship.<ref>{{Cite web |last= |first= |title=Beginning of the postal system, 1810s–1850s |url=https://teara.govt.nz/en/mail-and-couriers/page-1 |access-date=2022-08-01 |website=[[Te Ara: The Encyclopedia of New Zealand]] |language=en}}</ref> By 1875, of 330 mail routes, 83 used carts, or coaches.<ref>{{Cite web |last= |first= |title=Mail in the steam era, 1850s–1890s |url=https://teara.govt.nz/en/mail-and-couriers/page-2 |access-date=2022-08-01 |website=[[Te Ara: The Encyclopedia of New Zealand]] |language=en}}</ref> From 1878, post was carried in [[travelling post office]]s on [[New Zealand Railways Department|New Zealand Railways]], with sorting being done on the train.<ref>{{Cite web |last= |first= |date=11 Mar 2010 |title=Sorting mail in a railway carriage, 1930s |url=https://teara.govt.nz/en/photograph/23057/sorting-mail-in-a-railway-carriage-1930s |access-date=2022-08-01 |website=[[Te Ara: The Encyclopedia of New Zealand]] |language=en}}</ref> The last train ran on 5 September 1971, after which the ''[[Silver Star (NZR train)|Silver Star]]'' train took over Auckland-Wellington services.<ref>{{Cite web |date=6 Sep 1971 |title=Last trip Press |url=https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/CHP19710906.2.11 |access-date=2022-08-01 |website=paperspast.natlib.govt.nz}}</ref>

Air transport was first used in 1919,<ref>{{Cite web |title=Air Transport |url=https://collectables.nzpost.co.nz/air-transport/ |access-date=2022-08-01 |website=NZ Post Collectables |language=en}}</ref> and regular carriage by internal airlines began on 16 March 1936.<ref>{{Cite web |date=17 Mar 1936 |title=Mails Carried by Air. Press |url=https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/CHP19360317.2.95 |access-date=2022-08-01 |website=paperspast.natlib.govt.nz}}</ref> Until 2016, NZ Post had a [[Boeing 737-300]] and two [[Fokker 27]] planes, which were replaced by three [[Boeing 737-400]],<ref>{{Cite web |last=Powell |first=Selina |date=2016-02-28 |title=End of the line for Marlborough 'mail plane' |url=https://www.stuff.co.nz/marlborough-express/news/77017500/end-of-the-line-for-marlborough-mail-plane |access-date=2022-08-01 |website=[[Stuff (website)|Stuff]] |language=en}}</ref> with mail carried in containers.<ref>{{Cite web |last= |first= |date=2019-06-19 |title=The Trucks of New Zealand Post |url=https://www.nztrucking.co.nz/the-trucks-of-new-zealand-post-11/ |access-date=2022-08-01 |website=NZ Trucking |language=en-US}}</ref>

An {{Convert|20|hp|abbr=on}} {{Convert|12|mph|abbr=on}}12mph [[Albion Motors#Commercial vehicle production|Albion]] petrol lorry<ref>{{Cite web |date=16 Sep 1909 |title=Current Topics. New Zealand Times|url=https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/NZTIM19090916.2.25 |access-date=2022-08-01 |website=paperspast.natlib.govt.nz}}</ref> began carrying mail between Wellington post office and the wharf from early in September 1909.<ref>{{Cite web |date=14 Sep 1909 |title=Ashburton Guardian |url=https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/AG19090914.2.14 |access-date=2022-08-01 |website=paperspast.natlib.govt.nz}}</ref> Another arrived in 1911.<ref>{{Cite web |date=27 Feb 1911 |title=Post Office Enterprise. |url=https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/NZTIM19110227.2.22 |access-date=2022-08-01 |website=paperspast.natlib.govt.nz}}</ref> By 1973, the Post Office had 1,600 [[Bedford TJ|Bedford J]] trucks.<ref>{{Cite web |last= |first= |date=2019-04-10 |title=The Trucks of New Zealand Post |url=https://www.nztrucking.co.nz/the-trucks-of-new-zealand-post-10/ |access-date=2022-08-01 |website=NZ Trucking |language=en-US}}</ref>

In 2004, New Zealand Post announced the formation of Express Couriers Ltd (ECL), a 50:50 joint venture with courier company [[DHL]]. In 2008, New Zealand Post and DHL commenced a similar joint venture in Australia called Parcel Direct Group Pty Limited (PDG). In 2012, New Zealand Post purchased DHL's holdings in these two companies.<ref>[http://www.nzpost.co.nz/about-us/media-centre/media-release/new-zealand-post-positions-for-future New Zealand Post Positions for the Future | New Zealand Post] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181110160129/https://www.nzpost.co.nz/about-us/media-centre/media-release/new-zealand-post-positions-for-future |date=10 November 2018 }}. Nzpost.co.nz (25 June 2012). Retrieved on 2013-07-16.</ref> ECL operates extensive courier and logistics services throughout New Zealand and encompasses the CourierPost, Pace, RoadStar and Contract Logistics brands.

From 2016, electric Paxters were introduced for local deliveries.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Tso |first=Matthew |date=2018-04-23 |title=New NZ Post vehicles roll out in the Hutt despite ongoing talks with union |url=https://www.stuff.co.nz/business/103341159/new-nz-post-vehicles-roll-out-in-the-hutt-despite-ongoing-talks-with-union |access-date=2022-08-01 |website=[[Stuff (website)|Stuff]] |language=en}}</ref> On average, they use {{Convert|8.4|kWh||abbr=on}} a day.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Electric vehicles powering deliveries |url=https://www.nzpost.co.nz/about-us/sustainability/electric-vehicles |access-date=2022-08-01 |website=www.nzpost.co.nz}}</ref> By 2022, there were 415 of them.<ref>{{Cite web |date=May 4, 2022 |title=NZ Post Electric Mail Buggies Largely Back In Business – Mail Delays Minimal {{!}} Scoop News |url=https://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/BU2205/S00080/nz-post-electric-mail-buggies-largely-back-in-business-mail-delays-minimal.htm |access-date=2022-08-01 |website=www.scoop.co.nz}}</ref> In 2022 a [[Hyundai Xcient#Hydrogen fuel cell versions|Hyundai Xcient]] hydrogen-powered truck was introduced.<ref>{{Cite web |date=19 Jul 2022 |title=NZ Post proud to add the country's first hydrogen truck to its fleet |url=https://www.nzpost.co.nz/about-us/media-centre/media-release/nz-post-proud-to-add-countrys-first-hydrogen-truck-to-its-fleet |access-date=2022-08-01 |website=www.nzpost.co.nz}}</ref>

In 2022, NZ Post acquired Fliway Group one of New Zealands largest transport and logistics providers.<ref>{{Cite web |title=NZ Post acquires Fliway Group New Zealand {{!}} NZ Post |url=https://www.nzpost.co.nz/about-us/media-centre/media-release/nz-post-acquires-fliway-group-new-zealand |access-date=2022-12-30 |website=www.nzpost.co.nz}}</ref>

=== Sorting ===
On 12 October 2022, NZ Post opened a new over 10,000 square metres "Super Depot" in Wellington capable of automatically sorting 11,000 parcels per hour which was previously done by hand. The new automated sorting system uses [[Optical character recognition|optical character recognition (OCR)]] capable of reading hand writing as well as barcode scanning to determine where the package should go. The sorting technology was designed and produced in partnership with [https://www.daifuku.com/company/groupcompanies/g10/ Daifuku Oceania].<ref>{{Cite web |date=2022-10-11 |title=NZ Post opens new Wellington depot with automated processing |url=https://www.rnz.co.nz/national/programmes/checkpoint/audio/2018862234/nz-post-opens-new-wellington-depot-with-automated-processing |access-date=2022-12-19 |website=[[RNZ]] |language=en-nz}}</ref><ref name=":0">{{Cite web |title=NZ Post opens brand new ‘Super Depot’ in Wellington {{!}} NZ Post |url=https://www.nzpost.co.nz/about-us/media-centre/media-release/nz-post-opens-brand-new-super-depot-in-wellington |access-date=2022-12-19 |website=www.nzpost.co.nz}}</ref>

=== Issue of stamps ===

NZ Post is responsible for deciding on stamp design and stamp production. From 1 April 1998 until 1 April 2003, only New Zealand Post was allowed to issue postage stamps that bear the words "New Zealand," according to New Zealand law.<ref>{{cite act |title=Postal Services Act 1998 |type=Act |number=1998 2 |date=18 March 1998 |url=http://www.legislation.govt.nz/act/public/1998/0002/latest/whole.html |access-date=9 April 2017}}</ref> Each year the Post's stamp business unit sets how many stamps it will issue and what the stamps will depict. The Post considers suggestions from New Zealand citizens and people around the world when deciding the subject of stamps. It also works with organisations to create commemorative stamps. For example, in 2014, the Post collaborated with [[Air New Zealand]] to issue a stamp for the airline's 75th anniversary.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.stuff.co.nz/business/industries/64004327/new-air-nz-stamp-ready-to-fly |title=New Air NZ stamp ready to fly |date=10 December 2014 |access-date=9 April 2017 |publisher=Stuff.co.nz}}</ref>

Once a decision on the stamp's subject is made, the Post asks at least two designers to draw a sketch, from which the final design is chosen. There are four things each stamp design must include: the stamp's denomination, the words New Zealand, a fern, one of the country's unofficial symbols, and a description of what the stamp depicts. Finally, the Post uses printers from around the world to print the stamps–it does not print them itself.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://stamps.nzpost.co.nz/kids/about-collecting/stamps/stamp-making-process |title=The stamp-making process |access-date=9 April 2017 |publisher=New Zealand Post}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://stamps.nzpost.co.nz/about-stamps-collecting/about-stamps/stamp-production |title=Stamp production |access-date=9 April 2017 |publisher=New Zealand Post}}</ref>

New Zealand's first stamp was issued by NZ Post's predecessor, the [[New Zealand Post Office|Post Office Department]] of the New Zealand government, in 1855. The stamp depicted [[Queen Victoria]], and was printed in one penny, two pence and one shilling denominations.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://nzhistory.govt.nz/new-zealands-first-postage-stamps-go-on-sale |title=New Zealand's first postage stamps go on sale |publisher=New Zealand Government |access-date=5 April 2017}}</ref>

== Other NZ postal operators ==

Other operators in the privatised New Zealand postal market include:
* [[DX Mail]]
* Pete's Post<ref>{{Cite web | title=Petes Post Home | url=https://www.petespost.co.nz/ | access-date=2025-08-30 | website=www.petespost.co.nz}}</ref>
* New Zealand Mail<ref>{{Cite web | title=New Zealand Mail Home | url=https://www.nzmail.co.nz/ | access-date=2025-08-30 | website=www.nzmail.co.nz}}</ref>
* Whitestone Post<ref>{{Cite web |title=Oamaru company takes innovative postal service nationwide |url=https://www.stuff.co.nz/business/90803920/oamaru-company-takes-innovative-postal-service-nationwide |access-date=2025-04-23 |website=www.stuff.co.nz}}</ref>

== See also ==
* [[Postcodes in New Zealand]]
* [[Royal Mail]]
* [[Canada Post]]
* [[Australia Post]]
* [[List of national postal services#Oceania]]

== References ==
{{reflist|30em}}

== External links ==
{{Commons category|New Zealand Post}}
* [http://www.nzpost.co.nz/ NZ Post]
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20180316235651/http://www.mbie.govt.nz/info-services/sectors-industries/technology-communications/postal-services Postal Policy] at the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment
* [http://www.kiwibank.co.nz/ Kiwibank Limited]
* [https://collectables.nzpost.co.nz/ NZ Post Collectables]

{{NZ state-owned enterprises}}

{{authority control}}

[[Category:Postal organizations]]
[[Category:Government-owned companies of New Zealand]]
[[Category:Postal system of New Zealand]]