Find out about our Critical Entry Time and when to send your commercial parcels and mail so they get delivered on time.
Critical Entry Time (CET)
New Zealand Post has a Critical Entry Time (CET) for commercial parcels and mail. This is the latest time that New Zealand Post can receive your mail at our International Mail Centre in order for it to be processed and released into our network on the same day.
Where your mail is received by New Zealand Post prior to CET (Monday to Friday, excluding weekends and public holidays) it will be processed same day; after this time mail will be processed the next working day.
The CET that will apply is dependent on the paperwork that you send your mail to New Zealand on.
Commercial Air Waybill (AWB)
Where your parcels and mail are consigned to, and recovered by NZ Post.
| Product | Aircraft Wheels Down | Received International Mail Centre, Auckland and Border Agency cleared |
|---|---|---|
| Bulk Mail | 1100 | 1400 |
| Parcels | 1100 | 1400 |
Delivery to International Mail Centre
Where NZ Post does not do the recovery of your parcels and mail from the airline
| Product | Received International Mail Centre, Auckland and Border Agency cleared |
|---|---|
| Bulk Mail | 1400 |
| Parcels | 1400 |
CET for mail that arrives in New Zealand via sea may vary. Please check with your New Zealand Post representative for the CET that will apply for your mail.
Non-delivery dates
We deliver mail six days a week, Monday to Saturday. We don't deliver mail on a Sunday or on public holidays and over the following holiday periods:
Public holidays
| Public holiday | 2024 Dates | 2025 Dates |
|---|---|---|
| New Year's Day | 1 January | 1 January |
| Day after NYD | 2 January | 2 January |
| Waitangi Day | 6 February | 6 February |
| Good Friday | 29 March | 18 April |
| Easter Monday | 1 April | 21 April |
| ANZAC Day | 25 April | 25 April |
| King's Birthday | 3 June | 2 June |
| Matariki | 28 June | 20 June |
| Labour Day | 28 October | 27 October |
| Christmas Day | 25 December | 25 December |
| Boxing Day | 26 December | 26 December |
Regional anniversary dates
| Region | 2024 Dates | 2025 Dates |
|---|---|---|
| Auckland | 29 January | 27 January |
| Canterbury (South) | 23 September | 22 September |
| Canterbury | 15 November | 14 November |
| Chatham Islands | 2 December | 1 December |
| Hawke’s Bay | 25 October | 24 October |
| Marlborough | 4 November | 3 November |
| Nelson | 29 January | 3 February |
| Otago | 25 March | 24 March |
| Southland | 2 April | 22 April |
| Taranaki | 11 March | 10 March |
| Wellington | 22 January | 20 January |
| Westland | 2 December | 1 December |
Please allow one to two extra working days for delivery when sending over the above periods.