Rural Delivery
If you live in rural New Zealand, Rural Post can deliver your mail and CourierPost items as well as provide a pick up service for outgoing mail and CourierPost items, free of charge.
Because some rural addresses are remote, receiving the Rural Delivery Service isn’t automatic. You will need to apply for the service – you can do this by visiting your local PostShop and filling in an application form.
You’ll also need to check that the Rural Delivery Service is available in your area. If the service is not available, ask about New Zealand Post Community mailboxes.
Receiving mail with the Rural Delivery Service
As well as applying to be registered as a Rural Post customer, you can also redirect your mail from your current address to your new rural address. You can do this by redirecting your mail online
Rural delivery mail should be addressed as follows:
Mr W L Smith
21 Greens Road
RD 2
Ruawai 0592
Mail addressed to people not listed in your Rural Delivery Service Agreement should be addressed c/- your name and Rural Delivery address:
Mr & Mrs G O'Brien
C/- Mr W L Smith
21 Greens Road
RD 2
Ruawai 0592
Sending mail from a rural mailbox
Outgoing mail and CourierPost items can be collected by your Rural Post owner-driver. Raise the flag on your mailbox to show mail is waiting to be picked up.
The correct postage should also be applied to your items - your Rural Post owner-driver can tell you the right postage and sell you stamps and a selected range of other products.
Rural mailbox requirements
Your rural mail will be delivered if your mailbox:
- has a minimum size of 400mm deep x 270mm wide x 270mm high, with a flag fitted to indicate mail is awaiting collection
- provides access by a front-opening, non-locking hinged door and fitted with a mail slot large enough for large magazines to be placed inside without bending or opening the door. The mail slot should be no less than 250mm x 30mm. Mail should drop out of sight to keep it secure
- is located to allow easy, all-weather access and positioned so your Rural Post owner-driver can reach it without leaving their vehicle. The best location may not always be by your gate. It‘s important you comply with local bylaws, traffic regulations and phone/power cable requirements. Please discuss your options with your Rural Post owner-driver before constructing your mailbox
- has the street/road number of your property (if available) clearly printed on the box in numerals at least 25mm high. Local Authorities are progressively allocating numbers to all properties in their area and your property may already have a number allocated. If not, or if you would prefer to use your name, please feature your initials and surname, or company name.
Height and positioning of mail slot
The recommended height of your mailbox mail slot is between 1m and 1.2m from the ground. This allows easy and safe access without the Rural Post owner-driver having to get out of their vehicle.
You can buy a purpose-built rural mailbox from selected retail and hardware outlets.
Changing your rural delivery details
If you need to change details such as your name, phone number or the names of people living at your address, simply ask for a Change of Customer Details form at your local PostShop
Cancelling your Rural Delivery Service
If you no longer require the Rural Delivery Service, you’ll need to ask for a Change of Customer Details form at your local PostShop.
You can also redirect your mail from your current rural address to your new address. You can do this by redirecting your mail online
Terms and conditions
We, New Zealand Post Limited
- recognise the person(s) signing the Rural Delivery Service Agreement as the contracting party (“Rural Delivery Customer”), authorised to sign on behalf of all other persons named in the Agreement.
- agree mail will not be given to any other person without written consent from the Rural Delivery Customer.
- will observe relevant provisions contained in the Postal Services Act 1998, Public Contract for Delivery of Postal Articles, and Postal User’s Guide in providing service. These are available for viewing at Post Shops and Post Centres.
- will determine delivery frequency and routes for Rural Delivery Service at our discretion, taking factors such as local delivery arrangements, household and/or business density, road conditions, Owner Driver safety and ease of access into consideration.
- reserve the right to relocate, withdraw, change delivery frequency, delivery time or method of delivery on one month’s written notice to the Rural Delivery Customer. - reserve the right to refuse delivery on private roads or where access is obstructed by a gate(s).
- reserve the right to withdraw Rural Delivery Service immediately if it is found to be used for illegal purposes.
- may refuse delivery of an article where there is a dispute between parties over entitlement, until entitlement has been determined. If there is no agreement or a default in agreement, New Zealand Post Limited will treat the article as undelivered.
- may publish the name and postal address details of all people receiving mail at the Rural Delivery Customer’s address except where non-listing has been indicated in writing (see “Protecting your privacy” section overleaf). All care will be taken in compiling details but neither the publisher nor New Zealand Post Limited will accept responsibility for any errors or omissions or the results of such. All information will be held by New Zealand Post Limited or by an approved agent of New Zealand Post Limited and may be made available to businesses or organisations for the purpose specified overleaf. Under the Privacy Act 1993, individuals have the right to request access to, and correction of, their personal information held by New Zealand Post Limited. You can review, see or correct your personal information held by New Zealand Post Limited at any time. Phone 0800 804 307 or write to: Addressing Services Manager, New Zealand Post, PO Box 23, Wellington.
- will provide a pickup service to Rural Delivery Customers, providing articles of mail with the correct postage affixed are placed in the Rural Delivery Customer’s mail box with the flag raised to signal collection.
- reserve the right to alter, change or amend the Rural Delivery Service Terms and Conditions on one month’s written notice.
- You, the Rural Delivery Customer
- confirm that each of the individuals named overleaf has authorised the disclosure to, and use by, New Zealand Post Limited of their personal information for the purposes set out above.
- will, to help achieve accurate delivery, advise your correct postal address to all parties likely to correspond with you. Your postal address should include your name, initials, street/road number and name (where available), your Rural Delivery number and location from which the Rural Delivery Service operates. Mail addressed to other parties not listed on the Rural Delivery Service Agreement should be addressed care of the Rural Delivery Customer’s name.
- shall return any mail not intended for you or other persons listed on the Rural Delivery Service Agreement to New Zealand Post Limited promptly.
- will observe relevant provisions contained in the Postal Services Act 1998, Public Contract for Delivery of Postal Articles, and Postal User’s Guide. These are available for viewing at Post Shops and Post Centres.
- agree that it is your responsibility to erect and maintain in good condition, at your cost, a rural mail box that meets New Zealand Post Limited specifications.* - agree that your name, initials and/or the street/road number of your property must be clearly printed on your rural mail box.
- agree that you will erect your rural mail box at a site agreed with your local Rural Delivery Owner Driver. The mail box shall be located to allow easy, all-weather access for delivery and shall comply with traffic regulations, local bylaws and the Health and Safety in Employment Act 1992.
- agree to notify New Zealand Post Limited if you no longer require the Rural Delivery Service to be provided, indicating where you would like your mail delivered in the future
- Enquiries may be directed to your local Post Shop or Post Centre.
* You may purchase or build your own rural mail box provided that it meets New Zealand Post Limited specifications. Purpose-built rural mail boxes can be purchased from selected hardware and retail outlets nationwide. For more information please phone our Customer Service Centre on 0800 501 501.
PostShop is a trade mark of New Zealand Post Limited
