\u201cNew Zealanders are sending fewer letters than ever before. The average delivery point now receives less than two letters per week, compared to 7.5 in 2013. Despite being used less, NZ Post has been required to maintain a network designed for much higher volumes.<\/p>\n
\u201cWithout these changes to NZ Post\u2019s minimum service level obligations, the cost of maintaining current services would not be financially sustainable,\u201d Hartley said.<\/p>\n
NZ Post supported the changes. <\/p>\n
\u201cMail is part of our DNA and will continue to be as long as New Zealanders continue to send letters,\u201d NZ Post chief executive David Walsh said. <\/p>\n
He stressed the deed change did not mean an automatic change to NZ Post\u2019s delivery schedule. <\/p>\n
\u201cThe Deed of Understanding sets out the minimum requirements that NZ Post needs to meet. We then make our operating decisions within those boundaries,\u201d Walsh said. <\/p>\n
\u201cAny operational changes will include appropriate engagement with our people and stakeholders in the first instance,\u201d he said. <\/p>\n
The deed change gave NZ Post flexibility and enabled it to meet the Government\u2019s expectations to provide a commercially sustainable mail service, Hartley said. <\/p>\n
NZ Post will likely look at cutting the number of post offices and post shops in urban areas. Hartley said the minimum requirements for retail outlets had not changed since 1989. <\/p>\n
Further to the declining number of letters sent, NZ Post has predicted New Zealand addresses will only receive an average of 1 item or less a week by 2028. <\/p>\n
Parcel services are not covered by the deed and are not affected by the changes. <\/p>\n