Personalized mailboxes to take with you? | RNZ News

Under proposed changes, New Zealand Post could eventually stop delivering mail to individual letterboxes and instead require groups of boxes, and the Postal Workers Union is unhappy about it.

The government held consultations on modification of the agreement of understanding it has with New Zealand Post.

Among the changes were reducing the minimum delivery frequency and allowing New Zealand Post to deliver messages to clusters or community boxes at new addresses.

This was stated by the President of the Postal Workers Union, John Maynard. Morning report The proposal to stop delivery to individual home mailboxes was “sort of hidden in the document.”

“Ultimately it impacts every individual when NZ Post says they prefer to deliver to groups, counters or letterboxes but not to your household.”

Maynard said the proposal is to phase out delivery to existing post office boxes.

“They’re not going to take your mailbox, they just don’t want to put anything in it.”

He said it was important that people could voice their opinions.

“Putting mailboxes in clusters makes it easier for a company to loot all the mail and deliver it in vans that won’t have to stop at your house, they’ll leave your mail at the end of the street.”

Maynard wanted the consultation dates extended and details clarified.

RNZ listeners respond

Jim said his mailbox gets a lot of use thanks to local real estate agents.

Many rural areas already have cluster mailboxes, Liz said.

“Who knows, people might talk to each other while they’re picking up mail. A beneficial added benefit,” she said.

“Of course, less material is published. However, this is a contract with the New Zealand public. The proposed change will have a significant impact on disabled people, the elderly and others who cannot travel easily,” Penelope said.

Sam was worried about the children: “Don’t take away that moment of joy when a child receives a birthday card from a grandparent or overseas relative, come to the mailbox!”

Consultations are ongoing

The Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment (MBIE) consulted on five proposed changes:

• Reducing the minimum delivery frequency in cities to two days a week, and in rural areas to three days a week.
• Reducing the minimum number of post offices from 880 to 500, and eventually to 400.
• Allowing New Zealand Post to expand its network by delivering to clusters and community boxes at new addresses.
• Allowing New Zealand Post to convert existing delivery points into public service points at a rate of up to 5 per cent per annum.
• Reducing the period until the next review from five to three years.

NZ Post declined an interview Morning report.

Mbi and the NZ Post have been approached for comment.

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