Postal service users may have to pay more to have guaranteed next-day delivery, if changes proposed by New Zealand Post are accepted.
The postal operator is talking with the Government about altering the deed that commits it to deliver to more than 95% of delivery points six days a week.
In the past year, 54 million fewer letters were sent and New Zealand Post says it wants more flexibility so so it can deal with its rapidly declining mail business.
"Basically that the standard delivery is three days a week, but that the criteria of the coverage is the same - that's probably the most important change, " chairman Sir Michael Cullen says.
Sir Michael says that would give sufficient flexibility to allow New Zealand Post to plan over the long term, and levels of guarantee would remain in the deed.
He says it's most likely daily delivery would still be available but would cost the sender more than the standard rate.
Sir Michael says he's very hopeful that New Zealand Post will manage to negotiate greater flexibility because the Government understands the decline in the use of letters is driven by worldwide and irreversible technological factors.
He says government departments such as Inland Revenue and Work and Income are significantly reducing the level of mail they are sending out.
