Addressing standards

Things to keep in mind when addressing parcels

By using the correct address format, you’re helping us process and deliver your parcels accurately and within our service standards.

Address format and details

For prepaid tickets and Courier Packs, addresses written onto parcels should be clear and accurate, following the tips provided below. A handy way to check addresses is by using our Address Services Tool

When using eShip, or integrated labelling, address details should, where possible be validated against an address database such as the type-address drop down list in eShip. This will help us deliver your parcels on time and to the correct location.

Integrated senders, or those using Shopify should consider Google Places, NZ Post Parcel Address API, or the NZ Post Shopify address plugin. Some of these options may require IT development, so speak to us or your provider if unsure.

All addresses should either be a valid Street address that consists of a Unit/building number, street number, street name, suburb and town or a valid PO Box address which will consist of PO Box/Private Bag number, suburb and town.

The NZ Post address validation web-service is available to most customers and can often be integrated into customer systems.

Examples:

Street address

Street number + name Suburb Town/City + Postcode

Rural address

Street number + name ‘RD’ + Rural Delivery number Mailtown + Postcode

PO Box

PO Box’ + Box number Box lobby Town/City + Postcode

Street address with unit

Unit number + ‘/’ + Street number + name Suburb Town/City + Postcode

Rural address with unit

Unit number + ‘/’ + Street number + name ‘RD’ + Rural Delivery number Mailtown + Postcode

Private Bag

‘Private Bag’ + Bag number Town/City + Postcode

Street with building name

Floor + Building name Unit number + ‘/’ + Street number + name Suburb Town/City + Postcode

Rural address with building name

Building name Unit number + ‘/’ + Street number + name ‘RD’ + Rural Delivery number Mailtown + Postcode

  

Addressing Tips

Street addresses

Rural addresses

PO Box and Private Bag addresses

Use the street number in preference to a building’s name. However, if you only have a building name, put it by itself on the line immediately above the street name and put any unit or floor above the building name.

 

Don’t use corner addresses (eg. ‘corner Main and High Streets’) or street number ranges (eg. ‘4-12 Main Street’).

 

If the street number includes a letter, leave out the space (eg. ‘21A Main Street’, not ‘21 A Main Street’).

 

Use the suburb if it is in common use. You can leave out a central city suburb (eg. ‘Auckland Central’).

Use ‘RD’ plus the RD number where the suburb would normally appear.

 

‘RD’ is space and punctuation free (eg. RD 1 not R D 1 or R.D.1)

 

Include the recipient’s name and where a Street Number is available, use it.

 

The mailtown on rural addresses does not relate to the physical location of the property, but rather where the rural delivery round for the address is based. eg. rural addresses in Piha are serviced from New Lynn, therefore the mailtown and postcode would be New Lynn 0772.

If you’re using a PO Box or Private Bag address, don’t include a street address as well.

 

PO Box and Private Bag numbers are space-free (eg. ‘PO Box 23226’, not ‘PO Box 23 226’).

 

‘PO’ is space-free (eg. ‘PO Box 23226’ not ‘P O Box 23226’).

 

‘PO’ is also punctuation-free – leave out the full stops.

 

You can leave out the box lobby name if it is exactly the same as the town/city name.

 

Private Bag addresses do not need a box lobby name.

Address fields

Contact Name This is the receiver's contact name which will accept the item or assist with the delivery of the item.
Contact Phone This is the phone number that will be used to contact the receiver to assist with delivery when required.
Company Name This is optional and will be information provided by the receiver to assist in parcel delivery.
Building Name (unit/level/floor) This is the level/unit/floor and can contain a building name.
Address Line 1 This is the street number and name, which is a mandatory field required for the delivery of the parcel.
Address Line 2 This is the delivery suburb, which is a mandatory field required for the delivery of the parcel.
Address Line 3 This is the delivery Town, which is a mandatory field required for the delivery of the parcel.
Delivery Instructions These are optional and will be information provided by the receiver to assist in parcel delivery.
Sender's Address These fields are used to identify the sender and will be used in the event of the parcel not being deliverable and is required to be returned to the sender.
From Details This is the company name or contact person who originally dispatched the parcel.

If you have an integrated service with NZ Post, you need to provide us with the right data in the right format. Learn more about our Data Injection standards (PDF - 230KB).