New Zealand Post evacuates mail plant after Christchurch quake
New Zealand Post evacuated its mail processing facility in Christchurch on Friday after the area was once again hit by an earthquake and strong subesequent aftershocks. The country’s third largest urban area was hit by a tremour measuring 5.8 on the Richter Scale, followed by quakes measured at 5.3, 4.8 and another at 5.8 some 80 minutes after the first.
Mail delivery in the area of New Zealand’s South Island was cancelled on Saturday (December 24), as staff were sent home from the local processing plant.
PostShops were opening on Saturday on a case by case basis only at the discretion of individual store managers.
New Zealand Post said it evacuated the Christchurch Mail Centre as a precaution for the safety of staff.
“The next scheduled New Zealand Post mail deliveries following the statutory holidays will be 28 December,” the company said in a statement.
The Christchurch area was devastated by a 6.3 quake back in February, which saw 181 deaths and thousands of buildings damaged.
The earthquake ended up costing New Zealand Post around $35-$40m in damage and disruption.
