The massive hub can process more than 30,000 parcels an hour at peak times. Video / Ben Dickens
NZ Post has invested in new apparatus and infrastructure to make online shopping “as easy as possible” this holiday season.
With Black Friday sales under way, the national postal carrier expects to deliver about 2.4 million parcels over the next week. NZ Post chief customer officer Bryan Dobson said that’s“about 800k more parcels than a ‘normal’ week”.
To meet this increased demand, NZ Post has brought on extra vans, trucks and flights and say their teams will be working “flat-out” to get everything delivered to Kiwis.
The peak postal period runs from now to the end of December. NZ Post is forecast to deliver about 10 million parcels in the 27 days between now and Christmas Eve.
“Our advice to Kiwis is to save time and shop online this festive season. It’s a good idea to get organised and send early to give your gift the best chance of arriving in time for Christmas,” Dobson said.
The delivery company has also been investing in processing infrastructure to help sort and send parcels as quickly and efficiently as possible. In May, it unveiled its upgraded $250 million Auckland Processing Centre (APC) which, during peak e-commerce periods, means an international parcel can come through the gateway, be processed through the system and then be ready for delivery in just 10 minutes.
NZ Post's Auckland Processing Centre can process more than 30,000 parcels an hour at peak times. Photo / Michael Craig
Dobson said NZ Post’s new APC can process up to 33,000 parcels per hour and has vastly improved the efficiency of parcel-handling and border security for parcels coming in and out of the country.
“This will be the first Christmas with the APC operating fully, and we are proud to bring this efficiency to Kiwis at the busiest time of year for festive giving and sending.”
Postal Workers Union of Aotearoa organiser John Maynard said the union wants to ensure that the postal service was investing in their workforce as well as their infrastructure.
“Postal workers work very hard and long hours and there’s even more pressure on them at this time of the year.”
Maynard said it was paramount the company didn’t try to exert unnecessary control over the “very dedicated” posties helping it meet delivery targets, citing concerns posties might be prevented from doing a small amount of overtime to ensure deliveries are done on time.
In October, a change to the deed it has with the Government allowed NZ Post to cut the number of delivery days and Post Shops it operated.
Maynard also disclosed that in May 2026, the Postal Workers Union of Aotearoa would support six contract couriers in a court case seeking benefits such as sick leave, safe working limits, holiday pay and the minimum wage.
“Posties are covered by a collected agreement, but couriers don’t get that. Currently they fall outside [the] protection of labour law. Our mail deliverers want to work hard, they love their jobs, but they deserve to be compensated and protected fairly.”
NZ Post said it's a good idea to get organised and send gifts early this year. Photo / NZ Post
NZ Post sending deadlines for Christmas 2025
For sending within New Zealand, the last day for sending via Economy is Thursday December 18, or Monday December 22 for courier.
If you are sending to a rural area you will need to allow two extra days for delivery.
If you’re posting to Australia, you’ll need to send by Wednesday December 10 if you’re using Economy, or Monday December 15 for courier, and the final deadline is Wednesday December 17 using express.
International sending deadlines to other countries vary, check the NZ Post website to ensure you are sending in time.
