NZ Post could replace shops with kiosks

New Zealand Post could close up to 20 post office branches and Kiwibank outlets as it looks to roll out a number of automated kiosks across the country. According to media reports in New Zealand, the operator – who is yet to confirm the closures – will invest in the new kiosks as a part of its overall plan to cut costs. Dozens of jobs are also expected to be cut as a part of the closures.

The plans were revealed after New Zealand Post said it was losing up to NZ $40m on its 304 shops.

Speaking during TV ONE’s Breakfast show in New Zealand, CEO Brian Roche said: “The store network has been losing money for a number of years but this isn’t just about money, it’s very much about ‘what’s the nature of services we require and how do we best deliver them?'”

However, he added: “If we can get this technology to work, we know our costs will come down.”

Roche also championed the implementation of new technologies, stating that it’s “one of the things we have to more actively explore”.

Reports suggest that a majority of closures could take place in urban areas, and that the automated kiosks could find their homes in supermarkets or petrol stations.

The kiosks would enable customers to weigh and post letters and parcels, as well as pay bills, 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

The story surfaced only days after New Zealand Post signed a license agreement to make use of the Zumbox platform as a basis for new digital postal mail services.

The Post will be trying out various different digital postal mail service options to see which one is most accepted by its customers.