Communications Minister Amy Adams and NZ Post say it's too early to tell how many of 7000 postal employees will lose their jobs should a proposal to cut mail delivery services to three days a week go ahead.
The move was first suggested by former NZ Post chairman Jim Bolger three years ago in response to diving letter volumes associated with the rise of email over the last two decades. That decline has accelerated sharply in recent years.
NZ Post and Ms Adams this morning released a formal proposal to cut mail delivery days from six to three days a week to allow "greater flexibility" in its services.
"During the last 10 years mail volumes have dropped considerably, with 265 million fewer items being posted each year compared to 2002. Within five years, mail volumes are forecast to be nearly half what they were in 2002," Ms Adams said.
The move would require changes to Universal Service Obligations - an agreement between NZ Post and the Government which guarantees postal services to the public.
NZ Post will also consult on proposal to bring self-service kiosks for some services.
"New Zealand Post has advised me that it considers changes are needed to ensure a sustainable postal service in the 21st century," said Ms Adams.
"Any change would require Government approval, and before deciding what, if any, changes to make, I want to give the public the opportunity to comment on the proposals.
"We want them to start thinking about the last time that they got a letter that was so time sensitive that another day would make a difference. It will be a big change, a significant change and that's why we need to have a good conversation with the public."
Spokesman John Tulloch said the electronic kiosks would provide a number of services from wiring parcels to paying bills.
NZ Post was trialling kiosks in 10 stores, but they weren't necessarily the models that would be used.
"What we're looking at doing is putting more of that technology into the network to extend that presence."
While the prospect of an entirely kiosk-driven model wasn't likely soon, it was a possibility in the long run, he said.
"We're still very beholden to the traditional model."
The proposal also "takes account of the fact that technology and changing customer behaviours mean services can and will be provided through various channels', Mr Tulloch said.
Long-term, this could mean the extension of services to supermarkets, stationery stores, pharmacies and service stations.
NZ Post employs about 7000 staff in its mail division including about 2200 posties.
Ms Adams told reporters that job losses were "something that they'll be talking to their posties about".
"What they will have to look at is how they will provide that service whether they use the same posties doing different routes on different days. That's something they will work through."
Engineering, Printing and Manufacturing Union postal industry organiser George Collins said the union recognised the commercial pressures facing NZ Post, but did not believe a three-day service was justified.
"Postal services all over the world are suffering from declining mail volumes and having to adapt, and NZ Post is no different.
"The EPMU is working together with NZ Post to find ways to adjust to this decline while protecting postal workers' jobs and the integrity of New Zealand's postal service.
"This may involve a reduction in the number of delivery days or redeployment within NZ Post, but we would caution against any kneejerk reactions."