20 Apr 2015

Further job cuts possible at NZ Post

2:20 pm on 20 April 2015

New Zealand Post says it is making changes to its management and structure which may lead to job losses.

New Zealand Post van in Gisborne.

New Zealand Post van in Gisborne. Photo: RNZ / Alexander Robertson

In its annual letter responding to the Government's expectations for the SOE, the chair of New Zealand Post Group, Sir Michael Cullen said the company faces changes which will probably mean more staffing cuts.

Each year, over 60 million fewer letters are being sent, an annual decline of around 8 percent.

In 2013, responding to this decline in mail, New Zealand Post announced that up to 2000 jobs would go over the next few years.

Sir Michael Cullen.

Sir Michael Cullen. Photo: RNZ

In the letter, Sir Michael mentioned a reduction in the number of stores, and a move towards lower-cost hosted arrangements with other businesses, like service stations or supermarkets.

New Zealand Post also planned to have a greater emphasis on self-service options.

It had already confirmed that 400 posties would lose their jobs over the next few years, with standard mail delivery set to be cut in July to every second day in urban areas.

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