NZ Post added to corporate roles

The chairperson of the Provincial Growth Fund independent advisory panel has been named as the new chair of NZ Post, which is under pressure from one of the world’s highest rates of decline in letter volumes.

A former businessman now mostly involved in corporate governance, Rodger Finlay has been appointed to the role from next week, August 21, until April 30, 2022.

‘‘Mr Finlay is a capable and experienced chair, who will bring strong governance and senior commercial experience to the NZ Post board at a time of significant challenge to its business models,’’ said Associate Minister for State Owned Enterprises Shane Jones.

‘‘He also brings skills that are relevant to NZ Post’s role as the majority owner of Kiwibank.’’

Finlay is also chair of PGG Wrightson, and Mundane Asset Management, and is a director of Ngai Tahu Holdings, Rural Equities Ltd, and Radio NZ.

He would retire from his role as a governor on the board of Radio NZ as soon as possible, Jones said.

Finlay has previously chaired NZ Oil and Gas and been a director of Public Trust, and NZ Thoroughbred Racing. ‘‘Shareholding ministers are confident Mr Finlay can help guide NZ Post through the changing mail environment while ensuring a high standard of service is maintained, especially in the regions,’’ said Jones.

Former NZ Post chairperson Jane Taylor resigned last year.

Deputy chair Jackie Lloyd was appointed acting chair.

Earlier this year, NZ Post hiked the price to send letters as post volumes continue to drop. At the time, NZ Post mail general manager Matt Geor said New Zealand had one of the highest rates of letter volume decline in the world. In the past few years 55 processing centres have been consolidated into three large ones, and automated processing technology has been introduced to sort the mail.

NZ Post has responded to the decline with a mix of ‘‘technology, service charges, delivery methods and price adjustments’’ over the past five years. NZ Post is also closing post shops as it splits services with Kiwibank and moving to postal service counters in supermarkets and other stores.