From using New Zealand Post to booking a private courier, there are a range of prices, delivery options and services designed to get your items where they need to go.
In this guide, we make finding the right postal solution for your needs easy. From buying the right-sized pre-paid parcel to finding a post office, if you need to mail something within or from New Zealand, we’ve got you covered.
Sending a letter in New Zealand is pretty simple, but the price and delivery time will depend on the size of the letter you are sending and where you are sending it. A standard envelope in New Zealand is DLE size.
|
Size |
Dimensions and Max Weight |
Price |
|
Medium (E9, DLE, DLEE, MaxPop, Cheque Mailer) |
Up to 130mm x 235mm x 6mm and 500g |
$2.30 or 1 KiwiStamp |
|
Large (C5) |
Up to 165mm x 235mm x 10mm and 500g |
$3.60 |
|
Oversize (E35) |
Up to 260mm x 385mm x 20mm and 1kg |
$4.90 |
|
Size |
Dimensions and Max Weight |
Price |
|
Medium (E9, DLE) |
130mm x 235mm x 5mm and 100g |
$3.60 to Australia; $4.30 for the rest of the world |
|
Large (C5) |
165mm x 235mm x 10mm and 200 g |
$4.30 to Australia; $4.90 for the rest of the world |
|
Oversize |
260mm x 385 x 10mm and 200g |
$5.60 to Australia; $7.20 for the rest of the world |
There are different rules for what constitutes a letter or a parcel by New Zealand post. Letters can only contain paper documents and need to weight less than 200 grams. If your letter weighs more or contains objects that make it lumpy or bulky, you should send your item as a parcel.
Check your letter fits within the maximum height and length dimensions as well. If you’re sending a letter overseas, you’ll need an ‘Economy’ or ‘Par Avion’ letter applied to the upper left-hand corner.
Use a dark pen to write the address of your recipient in the centre of your envelope. This way, the postal scanning machines can easily read your letter. Include your return address on the back. If the postal system is unable to send your letter, it will be returned to this address.
Delivery to rural or remote areas can take longer. If you are sending mail during a busy time (like the Christmas period) you should also expect delays. For faster delivery times you can use a Courier or Express services.
You can drop your letter into a post box or take it to your local PostShop. NZ Post no longer has its own stores. Instead you’ll find NZ Post counters in a wide range of business including pharmacies, dairies (corner stores), some Night n Day convenience stores, some Paper Plus stores and some New World supermarkets.
The easiest way to find your local Post Shop is to use NZ Post’s finder tool.
Sending parcels in New Zealand is relatively easy, with options tailored for size and budget. Whether you’re mailing a small gift or a large package, here’s how to get your parcel on its way.
Choose a Service: Courier (the fastest option) or Economy (Standard delivery)
|
Courier |
Economy |
|
Delivery Target: Next working day*. Price: $7.20 - $15.50. Delivered to the door with tracking included. Maximum coverage for items up to $2,000. Rural delivery surcharge: +$5.70. Optional add-ons: Signature on delivery: +$3.00. Saturday delivery: +$6.00. Home pickup is available. |
Delivery Target: Up to 3 working days*. Price: $5.20 - $13.50. Delivered to the letterbox with tracking included. Maximum coverage for items up to $250. Rural delivery surcharge: +$5.70. |
Choose a Service: Courier (for overnight delivery) or Economy (Up to 3 working days)
|
Courier |
Economy |
|
Delivery Target: Next working day*. Price: $7.80 - $192.50, depending on parcel size and weight. Includes tracking and coverage for items up to $2,000. Optional add-ons: Signature on delivery: +$3.00. Saturday delivery: +$6.00. Rural delivery surcharge: +$5.70. Home pickup is available. |
Delivery Target: Up to 3 working days*. Price: $23.00 - $115.00. Includes tracking and coverage for items up to $2,000. Rural delivery surcharge: +$5.70. |
Moving bulky, oversized or heavy items by courier or by post can be very expensive. A more affordable option is to use a moving company. Wise Move makes shipping oversized items affordable and easy.
Unlike traditional courier companies, which often have strict limitations on parcel weight and dimensions, movers on Wise Move use backloading to get your oversized items to their destinations on time and budget.
Our movers are already making similar trips and can bid on your request, leading to the best fixed-price options and an overall lower delivery cost compared to courier or post. You’ll also know what you pay upfront and don’t have to worry about hidden fees or last-minute changes. Book your next oversized or heavy item move with us.
Sending a parcel overseas? All parcels need to include customs declarations and any related documentation to qualify for international shipping.
Economy is the most cost-effective service for sending parcels and documents overseas. Delivery times range from 3 to 13 working days and include 220 destinations worldwide. NZ Post also gives you the option of tracking or a signature on delivery for registered documents.
NZ Post also offers a home pickup service. Economy includes cover for loss or damage, with compensation available up to $2,000. You can send items weighing up to 20 kg.
Courier offers a faster, tracked option for sending parcels and documents internationally, with delivery times of 2 to 6 working days. It’s available to 57 destinations and includes tracking and signature on delivery for added security. Home pickup services are also available, and items are covered for loss or damage up to $5,000. The Courier service accommodates parcels and documents up to 30kg and letters up to 1 kg.
NZ Post’s Express Service offers the fastest option of delivering parcels and documents to 220 destinations within 1 to 5 working days. With full tracking and a signature on delivery, this service makes sure your items are delivered quickly and securely. Home pickup is available, and the coverage for loss or damage extends to $10,000. Express shipping supports parcels up to 30 kg and letters up to 1 kg.
NZ Post is the national mail carrier for New Zealand, but there are private companies through which you can send mail. A popular option is to book a courier with a private provider.
Yes, in New Zealand, there are several private courier and delivery companies that offer parcel and letter delivery services in addition to NZ Post. Here are some popular options:
Post Haste Couriers have over 330 couriers nationwide. As well as their 19 branches throughout the country they also have access to another 800 couriers through sister companies. They provide a wide range of pricing options, a high level of communication between couriers and customers and have more successful first-time deliveries than many competitors.
New Zealand Couriers specialises in the delivery of time-sensitive documents and parcels. They offer services ranging from local and regional same-day deliveries to nationwide overnight options and international shipping to over 200 countries. You can book and send a courier from home with only a printer and their pick-up service.
If you run a business or need to send important or time-sensitive documents to a business NX mail provides tailored business mail solutions and is the only dedicated nationwide alternative to New Zealand Post. Focused on speed and cost-efficiency, DX Mail caters exclusively to business mail customers and will often deliver parcels and documents faster than the regular mail service. They are a great option for getting legal or private documents sent quickly and securely.
Castle Parcels focuses on economy next-day delivery (two days for inter-island) and serves high-volume parcel customers. With branches in Auckland, Wellington, and Christchurch, they also deliver through Post Haste Couriers and New Zealand Couriers for deliveries beyond these centres.
SUB60 is a leading point-to-point courier service specialising in urgent city deliveries, typically within one hour, in Auckland, Wellington, and Christchurch. They also offer same-day intercity delivery services, ensuring parcels and documents are delivered quickly and safely.
Security Express offers secure transportation for valuable items and documentation within Auckland, Wellington, Christchurch, and nationwide. With licensed security guards handling consignments, the service ensures the highest level of security from pick-up to delivery.
Pass the Parcel is an online courier solution by Post Haste Couriers designed for consumers. Their services provide a simple and convenient way for Kiwis to send parcels with flexible and accessible delivery options.
NOW Couriers specialises in business-to-business and business-to-consumer deliveries, offering same-day, regional, and inter-island next-day services. They have a strong network in Auckland and collaborate with other Freightways subsidiaries for nationwide coverage.
If it’s speed you’re after Kiwi Express is a point-to-point courier service offering ultra-fast delivery options of 15 minutes, 30 minutes, or 1 hour in Auckland and Wellington. They cater to customers with urgent delivery needs and are a great option for people who run businesses or deal with time-sensitive documents and parcels on a regular basis.
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