Secure your dog for a safe delivery
What you can do to improve safety and help protect your courier.
Secure your dog for a safe delivery
What you can do to improve safety and help protect your courier.
Even a good dog can have a bad day
Did you know there were 299 aggressive animal incidents reported by NZ Post’s Delivery Agents and Delivery Partners (NZ Post Couriers) last year*? That’s over five incidents every week - and many of these resulted in injuries that required medical care.
* NZ Post, March 2024
Why we need safe access to your property
With the huge growth in online shopping, we’re handling more parcels than ever before. NZ Post Couriers need to enter gates and approach front doors to complete their deliveries – if it’s unsafe, they can’t deliver your parcel.
Why you should secure your dog
Any unsecured dog can pose a threat or safety concern. While we provide training to educate NZ Post Couriers on dog behaviour and strategies to help minimise their risk of being attacked, it’s impossible for them to know how your dog might react when they approach your home.
Top tips for dog owners
Help protect your dog, your NZ Post Courier and your neighbourhood with these preventive measures
- Think about your pets when providing us with delivery instructions – can your courier access your property safely using the instructions you’ve given?
- Display clear signage, such as ‘Beware of the Dog’, to alert your courier that there is a dog on the property and help them stay vigilant and proceed with caution.
- Place your dog in a separate room or restrain it with a leash when your courier arrives at your property.
- Don’t let children answer the door, as dogs can push past or charge out.
- If your dog is outside, make sure it’s securely away from the letterbox, front door or specified delivery location.
- If you’re out and about with your dog, use a sturdy lead to restrain it.
Top tips for dog owners
Help protect your dog, your NZ Post Courier and your neighbourhood with these preventive measures
- Think about your pets when providing us with delivery instructions – can your courier access your property safely using the instructions you’ve given?
- Display clear signage, such as ‘Beware of the Dog’, to alert your courier that there is a dog on the property and help them stay vigilant and proceed with caution.
- Place your dog in a separate room or restrain it with a leash when your courier arrives at your property.
- Don’t let children answer the door, as dogs can push past or charge out.
- If your dog is outside, make sure it’s securely away from the letterbox, front door or specified delivery location.
- If you’re out and about with your dog, use a sturdy lead to restrain it.
Why do some dogs display aggressive behaviour?
Territorial behaviour
Dogs are naturally territorial and may perceive your NZ Post Courier as a threat to their home or family.
Fear and anxiety
Dogs can become fearful or anxious around strangers, especially if they are not well-socialised.
Protective instincts
Some dogs have strong protective instincts and will attempt to defend their owners and property from perceived intruders.
Previous experiences
Negative past experiences with strangers, including couriers, can lead to aggressive behaviour in dogs.
Other animals can also cause harm
Our delivery network includes 460,000 rural addresses. While dogs account for the majority of aggressive animal incidents reported by NZ Post Couriers, animals such as cattle, sheep, pigs, goats, horses, geese and other livestock can also pose a risk. Please always ensure your courier has clear access to your delivery point, so that they can deliver your parcels safely.
Help us deliver first time
We want to deliver your parcel first time, safely. Provide us with clear delivery instructions, or authorise your NZ Post Courier to sign for your parcel on your behalf - just keep your pets in mind, and make sure your delivery location is clear and secure for us to access.
Provide delivery instructions
Not home? No worries. You can tell us where to leave your non-signature required parcels. Enter your tracking number to get started.
Leave my parcel
Authorise your NZ Post Courier to sign for your parcel on your behalf and leave it in your chosen safe place. There are options for one time delivery,** or for all future parcels delivered to an address.***
Redirect my parcel
As long as your parcel hasn’t been loaded into the delivery van, you can redirect it to another address within 75km.
** Leave my parcel one-time delivery terms and conditions.
*** Leave my parcel ongoing delivery terms and conditions.