New Zealand Post

Different address types and envelope layout

There are three different types of addresses: street addresses, rural addresses and PO Box addresses.  There are different rules for each type of address.  Have a look at the Quick Guide to Addressing (.pdf - 154kb) for help on the different types of addresses.

Addressing tips

These tips will help you address mail to the different address types.

Street addresses

Street address envelope layout

  • Use the street number in preference to a building's name. However, if you only have a building name, put it by itself on the line immediately above the street name and put any unit or floor above the building name.

  • Don't use corner addresses (eg. 'corner Main and High Streets') or ranges of street numbers (eg. '4-12 Main Street').

  • If the street number includes a letter, leave out the space (eg. '21A Main Street', rather than '21 A Main Street').

  • Use the suburb name if it's in common use.

  • You can leave out a central city suburb (eg. Auckland Central).

Rural addresses

Rural address envelope layout

  • Use 'RD' plus the RD number instead of a suburb.

  • 'RD' has no spaces or punctuation (eg. 'RD 1' not 'R D 1').

  • Include the name of a registered occupant if the rural address doesn't have a street number.

  • Don't use floor levels in rural addresses.

  • Use the correct mail town, ie. the town name of the rural delivery route - this is not always the town closest to the address.

PO Box and Private Bag Addresses

PO Box and Box Bag address envelope layout

  • If you're using a PO Box or Private Bag address, don't include a street address as well.

  • PO Box and Private Bag numbers have no spaces (eg. 'PO Box 23226', not 'PO Box 23 226').

  • 'PO' has no spaces or punctuation (eg. 'PO Box 23226' not 'P O Box 23226' or 'P. O. Box 23226').

  • You can leave out the box lobby name if it's exactly the same as the town/city name.