Delivery delays set to worsen

Customers frustrated with delivery delays can expect demand to surge when the country moves to Covid-19 alert level three.

At level four, only items deemed essential are allowed to be shipped. However, there have been plenty of reports of questionable items falling into the category.

Some essential suppliers have taken to social media to express their anger about shipping delays, saying they have paid overnight fees for parcels that have taken days or even weeks to arrive at their destination.

New Zealand Post chief operating officer Mark Stewart, in a statement to Stuff, said he predicts another surge in demand when the country transitions to level three.

The group had managed ‘‘large fluctuations in volumes of parcels and mail over the last several weeks’’, he said.

‘‘While overall parcel volumes have been down in level four, we did see a strong upward surge in

Phill Ireland, on shipping IT equipment via CourierPost

the number of parcels sent last week as more businesses became able to provide essential goods under level four.

‘‘We anticipate there will be another strong surge when the country transitions to level three.’’

NZ Post was attempting to ease the burden by running extra shifts and converging mail facilities, Stewart said.

‘‘We ask Kiwis to please be patient as new physical distancing rules in place in our operations, combined with international delays, may mean there are occasions where delivery may take slightly longer than usual.’’

Phill Ireland, of Ka¯piti technology company The IT Crowd, said essential items such as laptops, computer parts and eftpos machines were costing him a ‘‘premium’’ to send via NZ Post’s CourierPost service, but were regularly going missing or taking days or even weeks to arrive.

‘‘I’ve been charged overnight rates for things that take a week to arrive. And when I complain, they’re not willing to budge on the rates.’’

It was costing him money and in one case, a client, he said. ‘‘They’ve really dropped the ball.’’

Infometrics senior economist Brad Olsen said there was a risk businesses that were technically allowed to ship items at level three would be hamstrung by a lack of delivery capacity.

‘‘By our estimate, the post and courier sector employs 13,000 people around the country. That’s not a huge number when you spread it around the country.’’

NZ Post wasn’t able to confirm current staffing numbers.

‘‘I’ve been charged overnight rates for things that take a week to arrive.’’