NZ Post launches service like Amazon Prime

NZ Post is launching a free delivery model. Photo/ Supplied

New Zealand Post and The Warehouse are teaming up to launch Shipmate - a free delivery service in which, for a single payment, shoppers will get an unlimited number of purchases with no delivery fee from participating retailers.

The Warehouse Groups brands - The Warehouse, Noel Leeming, Torpedo 7 and Warehouse Stationery - are all participating in the model, which is similar to Amazon Prime.

New Zealand Post head of customer strategy Brendan Thawley said the service would create value for its customers.

"We're excited about this new innovation in the New Zealand market and are delighted that four of The Warehouse Group's brands will be the first to offer the service to their customers," Thawley said.

"A shared problem for both parcel senders and receivers is that often consumers want to buy small things online but the cost of shipping is too high relative to the purchase.

"We're working to deliver solutions for both of these groups."

The service would cost $12 and initially run for a two-month trial period starting from next week.

While the Shipmate service was targeted at the domestic market, NZ Post said it was also working with New Zealand companies to help them grow their export markets.

Shipmate would start with a maximum of 5000 customers for its trial.

The Warehouse and Warehouse Stationery chief executive Pejman Okhovat says the move is part of The Warehouse Group's mission to become New Zealand's leading online retailer.

"Customers have been asking us for better online delivery options, and along with our two-hour delivery trial earlier this year, we're looking forward to further improving our offering with more developments to be rolled out in the coming months," he said.

Customers could register with NZ Post to be part of the trial.