Code confusion

Several ''boundary issues'' involving the new postcode system are upsetting Auckland residents. NZ Post spokesman Richard MacLean admits the new postcodes have generated complaints from residents who've been put in the wrong areas since the changeover on June 1. Howick seems to have been the worst affected by the confusion. Residents are unhappy at having their addresses listed as Cockle Bay, as Cockle Bay is just a small part of the suburb of Howick. Howick's main street, Picton St, is classed as Cockle Bay, even though Howick's postshop is located on it. Mellons Bay residents have also been listed in Cockle Bay although Cockle Bay is to the southeast of Howick, and Mellons Bay is to the north. A small section of Whitford Rd is listed in four suburbs across two postcodes. At Meadowlands Shopping Centre it is classed as Somerville, but at Somerville Rd, it becomes Dannemora, on the other side of the road. Mr McLean acknowledges that the names Howick, Dannemora and Botany Downs have caused NZ Post a few problems, as opinions differ widely about exact borders and locations. ''There have been a few of these boundary issues reported.'' Murphys Rd is listed as Ormiston, a suburb that doesn't exist. After community wrangles, the suburb was named Flat Bush. On the NZ Post website, typing in 2012 ? the postcode for Bucklands Beach ? brings up a reference to the North Shore, although the map shows Bucklands Beach. Silverdale and Redvale on the North Shore have also had a number of mix-ups. Perhaps most strange, residents of Wattle Downs have found themselves with a Papakura address. This is despite being a 10-minute drive through Manurewa away from Papakura. Mr McLean encourages anyone with a question about their new address to log it on the website: www.nzpost.co.nz He says the error rate with the new postcodes has been remarkably low, given that there are 1.8 million addresses in the system, and reported errors number fewer than 100 across the country. ''We were expecting a few more teething problems than we've had.'' He says the suburb definitions were established after consulting local councils, emergency services and the Geographic Board, but changes continue. NZ Post is in talks with Manukau City to resolve the Howick issues. With more houses being built all the time, the address database is updated every three months. However, the number of people using the new postcodes remains small. New mail-scanning machines will make it difficult for companies mailing in bulk to avoid using postcodes, but while NZ Post would like everyone to use their postcodes, the mail will still get through without it. - By Andrea Jutson