Where can we find the people who have decided to remove services from 142 urban retail partner stores around the country this year.
On a marae, apparently.
That’s certainly the impression given by the picture of them featured on the NZ Post website.
But it seems we will have to identify the marae in the picture and travel there to meet the state-owned company’s executive leaders.
Or – perhaps – we could establish an account.
When it comes to learning about the executive team, the benefits of being an account-holder were made plain when PoO staffers put the “Meet our leaders” invitation to the test.
We clicked on the link – and were rebuffed.
The lesson to be learned is all too clear.
Ordinary customers without an account but with a great curiosity to meet the NZ Post leaders online via the NZ Post website are told – in effect – to fuck off.
But the NZ Post bosses are not so shy when it come to telling us about their decision to reduce their services and how we will benefit.
Their announcement is the latest of the statements released by their media centre.
Or – perhaps – we could establish an account.
When it comes to learning about the executive team, the benefits of being an account-holder were made plain when PoO staffers put the “Meet our leaders” invitation to the test.
We clicked on the link – and were rebuffed.
The lesson to be learned is all too clear.
Ordinary customers without an account but with a great curiosity to meet the NZ Post leaders online via the NZ Post website are told – in effect – to fuck off.
But the NZ Post bosses are not so shy when it come to telling us about their decision to reduce their services and how we will benefit.
Their announcement is the latest of the statements released by their media centre.
NZ Post confirms changes to urban retail store network
The nature of what is intended wasn’t immediately spelled out but:
The changes will help to ensure its urban retail network has the right number of stores with the right service offerings in the right locations.
Let’s see if we have properly grasped the NZ Post’s reasoning.
By withdrawing services from lots of shops around the country – 142, according to information provided a bit further on – they will be better able to determine how many shops they need to provide which services.
But rejoice, dear customer, because…
The move will see fewer stores, that offer a better experience and are better able to handle the volume of parcels that customers are sending and collecting from stores.
A better experience?
Not if you have to travel much further to a shop which provides it.
We further learn:
NZ Post is not initiating any changes to rural stores at this time.
“At this time” portends the NZ Post axe falling on rural stores some time in the future.
The press statement draws attention to the role of the Government in what is happening.
It notes the recent updating of the Deed of Understanding, an agreement between NZ Post and the Government, which reset the minimum store requirements for the first time since the 1980s.
This enables NZ Post to adapt its retail network to keep pace with what matters most to customers and deliver the services they now expect.
NZ Post General Manager Consumer Sarah Sandoval is introduced to readers of the press statement a few paragraphs on from the start.
Is she one of the executive team we might have met on the marae, if only our link had enabled such a meeting?
She says the current retail network is much bigger than is required for today’s mail volumes.
And she gives us the number that has been missing from the earlier text:
“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. In fact, 90% of Kiwis living in urban areas will still be within 4km of an NZ Post store.”
Bloody good exercise, if you have to walk there and back.
“A lot has changed since the 1980s, when our minimum store requirements were last set. Customers now rely far more on NZ Post stores for collecting and sending parcels compared to letters. The retail network needs to be rebalanced to better suit the way customers use our products and services today and into the future. We’ve carefully assessed customer and network data and engaged with our retail partners to understand where changes make sense, while maintaining access to the right mix of services in communities.”
Sandoval goes on to explain that NZ Post will upgrade some of its own stores and introduce new retail hubs designed to reflect how Kiwis send, receive, and access services today. These hubs will bring multiple services together in one convenient location,
“… making it easier for customers to access what they need in a single visit
“They will feature modern, customer-friendly spaces designed for parcel sending, collection and returns. Two hubs are already open in Newmarket and Hardinge Street in Auckland, with Christchurch and Palmerston North set to follow in the first half of 2026, with more locations planned across the country.”
The press statement advices that communities can find out what’s happening in their area on the NZ Post website at nzpost.co.nz/store-changes, and local timelines will be communicated well before any change in each area.
The link worked, when PoO gave it a go.
Sandover went on with helpful advice for customers who have access to the right internet technology:
“We encourage customers to visit our website and check for information in store to learn more about changes in their local area, and how to access NZ Post services nearby,” says Sandoval.
“Over time, these changes will help us operate in a more sustainable and commercially responsible way, which is essential for ongoing improvements to stores, services and overall customer experience,” says Sandoval. For more information on retail changes in your region, please visit NZ Post website.
But the system has been set up – it seems – to frustrate your attempts to meet the executive leaders.
Bob Edlin is a veteran journalist and editor for the Point of Order blog HERE. - where this article was sourced.
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