NZ Post said the decision comes after a thorough review of how customers use its urban retail services.
NZ Post said the decision comes after a thorough review of how customers use its urban retail services.
Kiwis across the country are feeling left in the lurch after NZ Post made the controversial announcement of the closure of more than 140 of its urban stores.
People cited serious concerns over the decision’s impact on those employed at the stores, the elderly and rural communities.
Oneperson told the Herald they thought NZ Post should strip the “NZ” from its name after the shock announcement.
“NZ Post should be stripped of the NZ from its name; it only exists solely for profit, not for NZers,” the person claimed.
“What’s next? Take everything away from the people,” another said.
NZ Post said the decision comes after a thorough review of how customers use its urban retail services and ensures there will be the right service offerings in the right locations.
Of the 142 stores closing, 29 will be in Auckland and 22 are in Christchurch.
The change follows an update to the Deed of Understanding, an agreement between NZ Post and the Government, which resets the minimum store requirements for the first time in about 40 years and allows the service to change its retail network.
“While these changes will see NZ Post remove services from 142 urban retail partner stores nationwide in 2026, the remaining network of 567 stores will still be significantly larger than any New Zealand supermarket or bank branch network,” NZ Post general manager consumer Sarah Sandoval said.
“In fact, 90% of Kiwis living in urban areas will still be within 4km of an NZ Post store.”
‘What a joke’
Following the announcement this afternoon, people took to social media to share their concerns.
One described the service NZ Post is providing as a “joke”.
“Who in their right mind closes an agency at a hospital. Specifically, Christchurch and Burwood hospitals.
“Do they really expect patients to leave their beds and walk for kilometres to the nearest agency. This decision is absolutely dumb,” another told the Herald.
NZ Post said the decision comes after a thorough review of how customers use its urban retail services. Photo / File
“We now are left with only one postal service place in one of the largest suburbs in Wellington, and it’s inside a tiny Mobil petrol station.
“Ridiculous,” another said.
Others on social media claimed that their local post shops are often very busy and were confused by the move by NZ Post.
“Wouldn’t have thought there were that many left to close! It’s really hard finding a post shop nowadays when you need to post something,” another said.
“Some people don’t drive. A lot of people don’t know how to do stuff online either. Leave the post offices alone,” another angry post shop user said.
Palmerston North Mayor Grant Smith said it was unfortunate the people of Linton will now have to make the 25km-plus round trip into Palmerston North city for NZ Post and parcel services.
“I understand postal services have decreased significantly over the years, and this closure is an unfortunate sign of the times. However, there is also strong parcel and courier growth,” Smith said.
What stores are impacted?
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