CourierPost tracking

What is CourierPost?

CourierPost is the courier and express delivery brand of New Zealand Post, the state-owned postal enterprise of New Zealand. Founded in 1989 as a dedicated courier division of NZ Post, CourierPost was established to compete directly with private operators entering the domestic parcels market at a time when the newly corporatised postal service needed to modernise its parcel delivery capabilities. The new brand was designed from the outset to offer faster, fully trackable deliveries that stood apart from the traditional letter post network, and it quickly became the dominant force in New Zealand express courier delivery.

The company expanded rapidly in its early years. In 1991, CourierPost made its first significant acquisition by purchasing Speedlink Parcels, a freight company that had originally operated under New Zealand Railways before being sold off during the privatisation of state assets in the late 1980s. This purchase strengthened CourierPost's freight handling capabilities and broadened its reach across the country. By 1998, the brand had secured the top position in the domestic express courier market overtaking private competitors to claim market leadership.

In 2004, New Zealand Post and DHL, the global logistics operator owned by Deutsche Post, formed Express Couriers Ltd, a 50:50 joint venture that became the operational umbrella for CourierPost and several related brands including Pace, RoadStar, and Contract Logistics. The partnership with DHL brought international logistics expertise and greater global connectivity to the New Zealand operation. New Zealand Post subsequently purchased DHL's 50% stake in 2012, returning full ownership of Express Couriers Ltd and its brands to the state-owned parent.

A significant identity shift came in June 2021, when NZ Post announced a rebranding exercise to unify its NZ Post, CourierPost, and Pace brands under a single NZ Post identity. The consolidation cost approximately NZ$15 million and was planned to unfold over three years, with the primary work being the repainting of the courier fleet. The CourierPost name continues to appear in certain customer-facing contexts, including its track-and-trace portal, though the standalone visual brand has been progressively absorbed into the wider NZ Post identity.

• Founded: 1989, established by New Zealand Post as its dedicated courier division to compete with private market entrants
• Headquarters: Wellington, New Zealand as part of New Zealand Post
• Parent company: New Zealand Post (NZ Post), a state-owned enterprise of the New Zealand Government
• Former joint venture: Express Couriers Ltd (ECL), a 50:50 partnership with DHL from 2004 to 2012
• Related brands under ECL: Pace (lighter deliveries), RoadStar (road freight), and Contract Logistics
• Rebranding: Announced June 2021, consolidating into the NZ Post brand over three years at a cost of approximately NZ$15 million
• Annual volume: More than 43 million courier parcels delivered each year
• Courier network: More than 650 uniformed couriers operating across the nationwide New Zealand network
• Customer service hours: Monday to Friday, 8am to 6pm, excluding public holidays

CourierPost's position in the New Zealand market rests on its integration with NZ Post's nationwide infrastructure and its history as the country's largest express courier operation. The brand handles tens of millions of parcels annually for a customer base ranging from individual consumers sending personal packages to major e-commerce retailers and large enterprises with high-volume shipping needs. The distinctive branded vans and uniformed couriers remain a familiar presence on roads throughout New Zealand even as the brand identity gradually converges with that of its parent company.

Which countries does CourierPost deliver to?

CourierPost operates primarily as a domestic New Zealand carrier, with a network covering both the North and South Islands from end to end. The distribution infrastructure extends to rural and remote communities, not only to the major urban centres of Auckland Wellington, and Christchurch. This national reach is central to the carrier's role as a universal domestic courier service, and its fleet of uniformed couriers covers roads throughout the country regardless of how isolated the destination may be.

For international shipments, CourierPost through NZ Post offers courier services to 57 countries, with transit times generally falling between 2 and 6 working days. A separate Courier Extension product adds a further 30 destinations to the accessible international network, bringing the combined total to approximately 87 countries and territories. For the Australia corridor, which handles a high volume of trans-Tasman commerce, a dedicated tracked courier service is available along with express options for time-sensitive shipments. Dedicated courier routes also serve China, Hong Kong, and Macau, reflecting those markets' importance to New Zealand's export and e-commerce sectors.

• New Zealand (domestic): Full coverage of both the North Island and South Island including rural and remote communities throughout the country
• Australia: Dedicated tracked courier service with express options available for the trans-Tasman route
• China, Hong Kong, Macau: Dedicated courier lanes for these high-volume bilateral trade corridors
• Asia-Pacific: Japan, South Korea, Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand Vietnam, Philippines, Indonesia, and other countries within the 57-country international network
• Europe: United Kingdom, France, Germany, Netherlands, and other European Union member states within the standard international courier coverage
• North America: United States and Canada, served by the standard international courier product
• Courier Extension: An additional 30 destinations beyond the core 57-country network, accessible through a separate service tier
• Suspended services: All courier and postal services to Bahrain, Iran, Iraq, Israel, Kuwait, Qatar, and the United Arab Emirates are suspended due to the ongoing regional conflict

International parcels handled by CourierPost follow the standard model used across most national postal and courier networks. A shipment leaving New Zealand is processed through NZ Post's domestic facilities and international exchange infrastructure, then transferred to the postal or courier partner of the destination country for final delivery. A parcel going to the United States, for example, would be handed to USPS for distribution within that country, while a shipment to the United Kingdom would be passed to Royal Mail. This transfer model means that tracking events can sometimes pause at the handover point while the parcel enters the destination network. NZ Post does not operate its own international cargo aircraft but relies on commercial air freight lanes and partner networks for the movement of international shipments beyond New Zealand's borders.

What are the CourierPost services and delivery times?

CourierPost offers a range of domestic and international products covering different delivery speeds, tracking levels, and customer types. The core domestic offering is a next working day courier service covering all of New Zealand. This service includes full track-and-trace with multiple scan events recorded at each stage of the journey, from the initial collection at the sender's premises through intermediate sorting facilities to final delivery. It is the primary service used by both individual senders and high-volume business customers who require reliable delivery timeframes and visibility throughout the process.

A more affordable domestic alternative, the Economy courier service, accepts a slower and less predictable delivery window in exchange for a lower shipping rate. Economy parcels receive only three tracking scan events during their journey, compared to the multiple scans recorded for standard courier shipments. These three events are collection from the sender, out for delivery, and delivery. This level of tracking visibility is suited to non-urgent or lower-value shipments where real-time status updates are not a priority. The reduced scan density is a deliberate product design choice rather than a system limitation.

International shipping is structured around two main products. The standard International Courier covers 57 countries with door-to-door delivery and signature upon receipt, at transit times typically between 2 and 6 working days. The Courier Extension product provides access to a further 30 countries not covered by the main international courier tier. For the Australia route specifically, express options exist for senders with tighter delivery timeframes. CourierPost's domestic network also runs four delivery and pickup cycles per day, which gives business customers booking courier collections a high-frequency pickup option suited to time-critical dispatch requirements.

• Domestic Courier (Next Working Day): Door-to-door delivery across New Zealand the following working day, with full track-and-trace including multiple scan events throughout the journey
• Economy Courier: A lower-cost domestic option with reduced tracking, recording only three events: collected from sender, out for delivery, and delivered; best suited to non-urgent shipments
• Signature Required: A delivery tier or add-on that requires the recipient to provide a signature upon receiving the parcel, creating a formal proof of delivery record
• Authority to Leave: A pre-authorised delivery arrangement allowing the courier to place a parcel in a designated safe location without requiring a signature
• International Courier: Door-to-door service with signature on delivery to 57 countries, with typical transit times of 2 to 6 working days
• Courier Extension: A service tier extending international courier coverage to an additional 30 countries beyond the standard 57-country network
• Australia Express: Dedicated trans-Tasman courier lanes with express options available for time-critical shipments to Australia
• China / Hong Kong / Macau: Dedicated tracked courier routes for these high-volume bilateral trade corridors
• RoadStar: A road freight service under the Express Couriers Ltd umbrella, designed for consignments that exceed standard courier weight or dimension limits
• Contract Logistics: Customised warehousing and distribution solutions for large business clients, managed through the Express Couriers Ltd structure

What are the CourierPost rates and maximum dimensions accepted?

CourierPost calculates shipping charges based on whichever is greater between a parcel's actual physical weight and its volumetric weight. This dual-measurement approach is standard practice in the courier industry and reflects the reality that a large but light parcel occupies as much vehicle or aircraft space as a genuinely heavy one. The formula applied to determine volumetric weight is height in metres multiplied by width in metres multiplied by length in metres multiplied by 200, giving a chargeable cubic weight expressed in kilograms. The higher of the two figures becomes the chargeable weight for pricing purposes.

For domestic shipments, CourierPost uses a ticket-based pricing system. Senders determine the appropriate ticket value using an online Ticket Calculator based on the parcel's weight, dimensions, and the service tier selected, whether standard courier or Economy. Pricing scales with weight bands, and the distinction between service tiers affects the ticket cost. Items weighing more than 20 kg must also carry a health and safety label indicating the weight, a requirement that applies regardless of the service level chosen.

Domestic and international shipments are subject to different maximum size and weight limits. A parcel sent within New Zealand cannot exceed 25 kg in actual weight, 1.8 metres in length, or 0.125 cubic metres in total volume. For international courier shipments, the maximum weight per item rises to 30 kg. A minimum chargeable weight of 500 g applies to all international parcels, meaning that even very light packages are billed at that threshold regardless of their actual weight on the scale.

• Volumetric weight formula: Height (m) x Width (m) x Length (m) x 200, producing the chargeable cubic weight in kilograms
• Chargeable weight: The higher of actual weight or volumetric weight is applied for pricing purposes
• Domestic maximum weight: 25 kg per item
• Domestic maximum length: 1.8 metres
• Domestic maximum volume: 0.125 cubic metres
• Heavy item requirement: Items over 20 kg must carry a "Caution Heavy Item" sticker for health and safety compliance
• International maximum weight: 30 kg per item
• International minimum chargeable weight: 500 g, applied regardless of the parcel's actual weight

What are the CourierPost delivery options?

CourierPost provides a set of delivery and reception arrangements to accommodate different recipient circumstances. The standard mode is home delivery by a uniformed courier to the recipient's door. For situations where the recipient is not home at the time of delivery and a signature is not required, an Authority to Leave arrangement allows the courier to place the parcel in a pre-designated safe location. This can be set up by the sender at the time of booking or activated by the recipient through the NZ Post tracking tool once the parcel is already in transit. The designated location should be weatherproof, out of direct street view, and easily accessible to the courier.

For recipients who prefer to collect their parcels rather than receive them at home, over 380 collection points are distributed across New Zealand. These locations include Z petrol stations, Countdown supermarkets, and NZ Post retail stores, giving broad geographic coverage that extends well beyond the main cities. Recipients can arrange to redirect a parcel to one of these collection points before a delivery attempt is made. If a delivery attempt is made and no one is home and no Authority to Leave is active, a card is left at the property and the parcel is held pending a redelivery arrangement or collection by the recipient.

A parcel redirection option is available for in-transit shipments that have not yet been loaded onto a delivery van. Through the NZ Post online tracking tool, recipients can request a redirect to a different address, provided the new address falls within a 75 km radius of the original delivery address. The one restriction on this feature is that redirection and Authority to Leave cannot both be applied to the same parcel at the same time, as the two instructions conflict from a security standpoint.

• Home Delivery: Standard door-to-door delivery by a uniformed courier to the recipient's residential or business address
• Authority to Leave (ATL): Pre-authorised delivery to a designated safe location without a signature; the location must be weatherproof, shielded from street view, and accessible to the courier
• Signature Required: A formal delivery option requiring the recipient's signature at the door, producing a confirmed proof of delivery record
• Collect My Parcel: Parcel pickup from more than 380 collection locations across New Zealand including Z petrol stations, Countdown supermarkets, and NZ Post retail stores
• Parcel Redirection: In-transit redirection to an alternative address within a 75 km radius of the original delivery address, managed via the NZ Post tracking tool; cannot be used simultaneously with an Authority to Leave authorisation
• Redelivery: If a delivery attempt is unsuccessful and no ATL is in place, a card is left and a redelivery can be arranged, or the recipient can collect the parcel from a nearby depot or collection point

What should I do if my CourierPost parcel is lost or damaged?

Claims for lost, missing, or damaged CourierPost parcels are submitted through NZ Post's customer support system. The process can be initiated online by entering the tracking number into the claim tool on the NZ Post or CourierPost website. Customers can also contact the courier support phone line directly at 0800 268 743. Customer service operates Monday to Friday between 8am and 6pm, excluding public holidays. Business customers using third-party shipping platforms such as GoSweetSpot may be able to initiate claims through those platforms, which then liaise with NZ Post on the sender's behalf.

Strict time limits govern the claims process. For missing or lost parcels, a claim must be lodged within 21 days of the original collection date. For damaged items or parcels with partially missing contents, the claim must be submitted within 7 days of the delivery date. These deadlines are applied firmly, and claims submitted outside these windows may not be accepted. Customers are advised to initiate a claim as soon as a problem is identified rather than waiting to see whether the parcel resolves itself.

For damage claims, CourierPost typically arranges to collect the affected item and all original packaging materials from the customer so that a physical damage assessment can be conducted. Customers are required to retain the damaged item and every piece of original packaging until the assessment is complete. In some cases, photographic evidence of the damage may be accepted in place of a physical collection. Compensation for domestic courier shipments is assessed on the cost value of the goods rather than their retail value, and is capped at NZ$2,000 per ticketed item including GST. International courier shipments carry a higher coverage limit of NZ$5,000 per item.

• Phone support: 0800 268 743, available Monday to Friday, 8am to 6pm, excluding public holidays
• Claim deadline for lost or missing parcels: 21 days from the original collection date
• Claim deadline for damaged or partially missing contents: 7 days from the date of delivery
• Damage assessment process: CourierPost collects the damaged item and original packaging for physical inspection; all materials must be retained until the assessment is concluded
• Domestic compensation limit: Up to NZ$2,000 (including GST) per ticketed item, calculated on cost value rather than retail value
• International compensation limit: Up to NZ$5,000 per item for international courier shipments
• Third-party platform claims: Business customers using third-party shipping platforms can sometimes lodge claims through those platforms, which liaise with NZ Post directly on their behalf

Does CourierPost handle international shipments and customs formalities?

CourierPost handles international shipments through a door-to-door courier model, with signature on delivery included as standard for its main 57-country network. A Courier Extension service adds a further 30 destinations. The carrier uses NZ Post's international logistics infrastructure and commercial air freight networks to move shipments out of New Zealand. CourierPost does not universally offer a Delivered Duty Paid arrangement across all destinations, which means that import duties and taxes in the destination country are ordinarily the responsibility of the recipient. Recipients may be contacted by customs authorities or local delivery partners abroad and required to pay applicable charges before their parcel is released.

Senders carry full responsibility for completing accurate and truthful customs declarations on all international parcels. Incomplete or incorrect documentation can lead to delays at the destination country's customs checkpoints, the application of additional fees, or in serious cases the seizure of the goods. It is also the sender's responsibility to verify that the contents of the shipment comply with both New Zealand export regulations and the laws of the destination country before the parcel is handed over for processing.

A broad range of goods are prohibited from international and domestic courier shipments. Prohibited categories cover all dangerous goods falling under International Air Transport Association regulations, as well as other classes of goods that pose legal or safety risks. Restricted goods include prescription medications, which may require supporting documentation, and certain food products subject to biosecurity controls at the New Zealand border or in the destination country. As of early 2026, all courier and postal services to Bahrain, Iran, Iraq, Israel, Kuwait, Qatar, and the United Arab Emirates are suspended due to the ongoing regional conflict, and senders with shipments destined for those countries should contact NZ Post customer support for updated information on service availability.

• Prohibited - dangerous goods: Explosives, compressed gases, flammable liquids and solids, oxidising substances, toxic and infectious substances, radioactive materials, and corrosive goods, all governed by IATA Dangerous Goods Regulations
• Prohibited - other items: Flares, cigarette lighters, matches, fire starters, and any goods that are illegal under New Zealand law or prohibited in the destination country
• Restricted items: Prescription medications (may require documentation) and food products subject to biosecurity controls
• Customs declarations: Senders are solely responsible for accurate completion; incorrect or incomplete declarations may result in delays, additional fees, or seizure of goods
• Duties and taxes: Generally the responsibility of the recipient in the destination country; a Delivered Duty Paid model is not available for all destinations
• Suspended routes: All services to Bahrain, Iran, Iraq, Israel, Kuwait, Qatar, and the United Arab Emirates are suspended due to the ongoing regional conflict

Understanding tracking statuses

When you track a CourierPost parcel online, a series of status updates appear at each stage of the shipment's journey through the network. These events are recorded by scanners at collection, sorting centres, and delivery, giving a step-by-step picture of where the parcel is and what is happening to it. The tracking number used with CourierPost follows a standard format of two letters followed by nine digits followed by two letters, producing a 13-character code in total. Larger or business-level shipments may instead use a 16-digit numeric identifier. For Economy courier shipments, only three events are recorded across the entire journey rather than the multiple scans generated by the standard courier service. Tracking updates may also pause during weekends, public holidays, or while a parcel is held pending customs processing in the destination country, without this indicating any problem with the shipment.