A Manukau City resident says a requirement by New Zealand Post to adjust the height of his mailbox is a ludicrous imposition.
Warwick Church of Wattle Downs received a post card in July saying the mailbox was not at the correct height and was dangerous, and needed to be rectified.
A follow-up letter informed him that he has two weeks to change the box or all his mail would be held at a delivery centre.
Mr Church says he's had the box for 18 years and it has never been a problem before.
The New Zealand Post website says mailboxes should be 900 - 1200mm from the ground to the mail slot.
Mr Church acknowleges his box is 800mm above the ground.
He says a quote to replace the mailbox came in at $350 and NZ Post is making everybody pay for a few people's inability to look after their properties properly.
Union view
However, the Engineering, Printers & Manufacturers Union says delivering mail can be hazardous.
EPMU postal organiser Anna Kenny says the majority of injuries sustained by posties usually occur within one metre of the mailbox. She says these injuries can be quite severe.
Ms Kenny says people need to ensure that mailboxes are easy to access and safe to ensure postal workers can do their job.
