Everything You Need to Know About Sending Mail in New Zealand
Sending mail? What is that? Why don’t we just use Whatsapp? We know, we know, sending mail seems a little unnecessary these days but, believe it or not, there may be a few situations in New Zealand where you’ll need to send mail. Most likely it will be forms, perhaps for the Inland Revenue Department for your IRD tax number, applying for an 18+ Card or sending other paperwork. You may even want to send parcels if you have sold something online, for example. Indeed, the possibilities are endless!
Although there are multiple courier companies in New Zealand, New Zealand Post is the most well-known postal service where you can send letters and parcels from the PostShop found in most towns. We’ll take you through the time frame, packaging and costs of sending mail within New Zealand.
Be aware that prices in this article are an estimation, as postage prices change often. Note that prices have been updated as of July 2020.
How Long Does it Take to Send Mail Within New Zealand?
The time it takes for a parcel to reach its destination in New Zealand depends on which postal service you use and the destination of the parcel or letter.
How Long Does NZ Post Take to Deliver a letter, standard post takes up to three working days, while FastPost is delivered the next working day between major towns and cities. These estimations can take longer if being delivered to rural or remote areas.
How Long Does NZ Post Take to Deliver a parcel, standard or tracked parcels usually take:
- 1-2 working days across town
- 1-2 working days within the island (for example, within the North Island)
- 2-3 working days between islands (for example, sending from the North Island to the South Island).
Courier parcels are delivered the next working day in major towns and cities. Delivery to remote locations and rural areas tend to take a little longer.
For sending mail overseas from New Zealand, please refer to our Sending Mail Overseas from New Zealand guide.
© NZPocketGuide.comWhat Packaging to Use for Parcels in New Zealand
You can buy the packaging in a PostShop, however, you can also use your own packaging if you follow the guidelines stated in the “Using Your Own Packaging” section of this article.
Postage Included Bags
NZ Posts red postage bags, both flat and bubble bags, come in six different sizes which have postage included with a bag purchase. Postage is a flat rate for all weights under 3kg (6.6lbs). You can upgrade your postage for additional costs (see the “What Type of Postage is Available to Send Mail Within New Zealand” section below).
When you purchase a bag, there are tables and pens provided in the PostShop so you are able to fill in the information required on your postage bag, including delivery address and sender address.
NZ Post Bags Sizes and Prices
NZPost postage bags come in a range of sizes from 125mm x 230mm (4.9″ x 9″) costing around NZ$4.50 to 395mm x 455mm (15.5″ x 18″) costing around NZ$11.
© Creativity103 on FlickrPackaging Only Bags and Boxes
Packing Only Bags
These are a worthwhile option if your parcel weighs more than 3kg or if you are sending overseas.
The white packaging bags, available as flat or bubble bags, do not have postage included. You will pay for postage separately.
NZ Post packaging only bags are between the internal dimensions of 185mm x 270mm (7.2″ x 10.6″) costing around NZ$1 and 395mm x 455mm (15.5″ x 18″) costing around NZ$4.
Packaging Only Boxes
The white cardboard boxes are packaging for larger parcels. They come in a range of sizes between 235mm x 165mm x 70mm (9.2″ x 6.5″ x 2.7″) costing around NZ$2 to 500mm x 410mm x 295mm (19.7″ x 16″ x 11.6″) costing around NZ$8.50. Wine boxes are available too.
© PixabayUsing Your Own Packaging
You can use your own packaging to send parcels within New Zealand using NZ Post.
Any packaging outside of the size and weight restrictions of NZ Post need to be sent via a tracked courier or courier & signature service. Although this incurs additional costs, these parcels can still be sent from the PostShop.
© pxhereSending Large Parcels Within New Zealand
To send large parcels you can only use a tracked, courier or courier + signature service with NZ Post. The price is at a flat rate for any parcel up to 25kg (55lbs), but prices vary between destinations. For example, the price for a tracked box parcel of 4.5kg within New Zealand is around NZ$8.50 or to send it from the North Island to the South Island is around NZ$14.50.
© 111 Emergency on WikipediaWhat Type of Postage is Available to Send Mail Within New Zealand
Optional upgrades with NZ Post postage include:
- Tracked delivery
- Courier
- Courier + signature
There are surcharges for parcels in the following situations:
- Rural delivery on tracked, courier and courier + signature parcels
- Optional Saturday delivery on courier and courier + signature parcels
© Ingolfson on WikipediaSending Letters Within New Zealand
There are two services for sending letters within New Zealand: Standard Post and FastPost, which determines the delivery time. The maximum weight for a medium or large letter is 500g (1lb), while the oversize letter weight must be a maximum of 1kg (2lbs).
The size of the letter also determines the cost.
- Medium-sized letters have a maximum size of 130mm x 235mm x 6mm (5.1″ x 9.2″ 0.2″), costing around NZ$1.50 for standard postage.
- Large letters have a maximum limit of 165mm x 235mm x 10mm (6.4″ x 9.2″ 0.4″) costing around NZ$2.80 for standard postage.
- Oversize letters have a maximum limit of 260mm x 385mm x 20mm (10.2″ x 15″ x 0.7″) costing around NZ$4.10 for standard.
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