Get in touch, NZ Post tells those still waiting for Christmas presents

AUCKLAND: Christmas may be long gone, but some people are still waiting for their presents to be delivered.

New Zealand Post said it delivered nearly 15 million parcels — a record number — this holiday season, with a 97% ontime hit rate.

But not everyone is celebrating. RNZ has been contacted by about 20 people who are still waiting for their Christmas deliveries.

Mel Williams said her motherinlaw sent her three parcels from Australia in early December.

Only one showed up, on December 18.

She said she then spent the next few weeks contacting the company, each time receiving a different answer. One NZ Post staffer told her that the parcels had been delivered and must have been stolen.

‘‘I'm just really disappointed that there are obvious inconsistencies in what they've been saying and there is nothing they are willing to do about that,’’ Ms Williams said.

She said it was upsetting to have to tell her children she had no idea where their presents from their grandmother were.

Donna Walker runs a clothing and jewellery business in Auckland and has relied on shipments from China for stock.

‘‘I had no stock for Christmas. I bought six new styles and none of them arrived until after Christmas. I am still waiting on one of the orders because it had to be sent back to China and get resent. I've lost money, you know, and it cost me,’’ Walker said.

She said she contacted NZ Post to sort out the problem, but felt like it did not care.

NZ Post chief operating officer Mark Stewart said last Christmas was its most successful yet, with nearly 15 million packages delivered on time.

Given the number of deliveries made during the season, some would slip through, he said.

‘‘We pride ourselves on our service, so when we don't deliver to that expectation we're disappointed to hear that. On behalf of NZ Post I would like to personally apologise to those customers,’’ Mr Stewart said

NZ Post could not say how many parcels had not been delivered yet, because as far as it was aware, all Christmas parcels had been received.

The company had asked anyone missing parcels to contact them.

Mr Stewart said NZ Post hired an extra 558 staff before the season, and the plan was to increase that this year. — RNZ