Mailing dates & times

Find out about our Critical Entry Time and when to send your commercial parcels and mail so they get delivered on time.

Critical Entry Time (CET)

New Zealand Post has a Critical Entry Time (CET) for commercial parcels and mail. This is the latest time that New Zealand Post can receive your mail at our International Mail Centre in order for it to be processed and released into our network on the same day.

Where your mail is received by New Zealand Post prior to CET (Monday to Friday, excluding weekends and public holidays) it will be processed same day; after this time mail will be processed the next working day.

The CET that will apply is dependent on the paperwork that you send your mail to New Zealand on. 

 

Commercial Air Waybill (AWB)

Where your parcels and mail are consigned to, and recovered by NZ Post.

Product Aircraft Wheels Down Received International Mail Centre, Auckland and Border Agency cleared
Bulk Mail 1100 1400
Parcels 1100 1400

Delivery to International Mail Centre

Where NZ Post does not do the recovery of your parcels and mail from the airline

Product Received International Mail Centre, Auckland and Border Agency cleared
Bulk Mail 1400
Parcels 1400

CET for mail that arrives in New Zealand via sea may vary. Please check with your New Zealand Post representative for the CET that will apply for your mail.


Non-delivery dates

We deliver mail six days a week, Monday to Saturday. We don't deliver mail on a Sunday or on public holidays and over the following holiday periods:

Public holidays 2024

Public holiday  2024 Dates
New Year's Day 1 January
Day after NYD 2 January
Waitangi Day 6 February
Good Friday 29 March
Easter Monday 1 April
ANZAC Day 25 April
King's Birthday 3 June
Matariki 28 June
Labour Day 28 October
Christmas Day 25 December 
Boxing Day 26 December

Regional anniversary dates

Region 2024 Dates
Auckland 29 January
Canterbury (South) 23 September
Canterbury 15 November
Chatham Islands 2 December
Hawke’s Bay 25 October
Marlborough 4 November
Nelson 29 January
Otago 25 March
Southland 2 April
Taranaki 11 March
Wellington 22 January
Westland 2 December

Please allow one to two extra working days for delivery when sending over the above periods.