Mail forwarding is a service that allows you to redirect your physical mail from one address to another. Whether you're moving to a new city in New Zealand or relocating overseas, mail forwarding is a convenient solution to ensure you don't miss out on any important letters or deliveries.
When you move, there are lots of things you need to remember. With a lot going on, it's easy to forget the importance of redirecting your physical mail. Without mail forwarding, your letters and packages will continue to be delivered to your old address, potentially causing delays and missed opportunities.
You may miss important bills, letters from friends and family, or replacement cards from your bank. By setting up mail forwarding, you can ensure that all of your mail is delivered to your new address and stay on top of your correspondence.
To set up mail forwarding in New Zealand, follow these steps:
Choose the type of redirection you need, either personal or business.
Select the length of time you require the service for (up to 12 months).
Enter your old address and the new address you want your mail redirected to.
Confirm the details and pay for the service.
New Zealand Post will redirect your mail within five working days of receiving your application.
It's important to note that mail forwarding only applies to physical mail, not to emails or other electronic correspondence.
You can set the date you want your mail to begin forwarding to its new location online. New Zealand Post requires you to set up a redirection online at least four working days before you want redirection to start or six working days if applying in person at an NZ Post store.
In short, it’s always a good idea to set up a redirection two weeks before you need redirection to start. This means if you have any issues, you’ll have enough time to sort them out before you move out of your home.
The NZ Post website requires a New Zealand Passport or NZ Driver's Licence to apply online. If you’re not a New Zealand resident or haven’t applied for a driver's licence here, you won’t have the right documentation to do this. In this case, you can apply in-store.
Setting up a redirection with NZ Post only redirects mail sent through this service. Ordering an item online and delivering it to your old address via a courier will not be redirected.
One easy way to ensure your mail gets delivered is to change your autofill information online. If you shop online using Chrome or Safari or an iPhone or Android to make purchases, you can change your address preferences to ensure your new address auto replaces your old address.
There’s no period for how long you should set up mail forwarding. Keeping mail forwarding for a month after your move will ensure you don’t miss any urgent mail. It’s important to note that mail forwarding is not a substitute for changing your address with banks and other services. You’ll still need to update your information with each service that uses your address.
The cost of mail forwarding in New Zealand depends on the time you require the service and the type of redirection you need. For personal mail, redirection costs $34.80 for up to three months, $69.60 for up to six months, and $104.40 for up to 12 months. For business mail, redirection costs $43.50 for up to three months, $87.00 for up to six months, and $130.50 for up to 12 months.
It's worth noting that these prices are subject to change, and additional fees may apply for redirections outside of New Zealand. It's a good idea to check the New Zealand Post website for up-to-date pricing and terms and conditions.
Moving can throw up all sorts of scenarios where you may not have a secure home for an extended period. You may be staying at a friend's house, backpackers hostel or travelling with no fixed abode.
One of the catch-22s of moving to New Zealand is that banks and other services often require a mailing address (or proof of address) to open an account or apply for a rental. This process makes things very difficult if you’ve just moved to the country. If you can’t get your mail forwarded to your workplace or a friend’s house, there are still options for receiving mail.
Companies like Private Box can set you up with a virtual PO Box or street address to still receive parcels, letters, bills and important communication. They can forward your mail anywhere or you can pick it up at your leisure from one of their five locations around the country. You’ll receive a notification anytime you receive mail and can log into their app to request whether you want the item scanned for you to read digitally, sent to a new location, destroyed or collected.
Common services to notify regarding your change of address:
Once you’ve set up mail forwarding to your new address, you need to notify any services about your move. Here is a list of services you should notify about your change of address:
Bank and credit card companies
Insurance companies
Electricity, gas, and internet providers
Electoral role
Gym
School records
Club memberships
Physical publications
Lawyers offices
Doctor and dentist
Airline frequent flyer programmes
Whether you’re moving and want to ensure you don’t miss any mail or are travelling for an extended period and no longer have a physical address, mail forwarding is a great way to stay on top of your mail.
Setting up mail forwarding in New Zealand is a simple and affordable process. Following the steps above and paying the relevant fees, you can redirect your physical mail to your new address and avoid potential delays or missed opportunities.
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