People wanting to post a letter will need an extra 10 cents from July as stamp prices are set to rise from 60 to 70 cents.

It's the first increase in the standard letter rate since October 2010, when the price increased alongside a nationwide rise in GST.

New Zealand Post spokesperson Michael Tull says New Zealand Post doesn't anticipate any further price adjustments to the standard letter rate for at least two years.

He says postage rates for international courier services, and for some international business letter services, will also increase – by between 2.5 per cent and 5 per cent from July 1.
These changes will not increase the cost of sending standard ‘International Air' letters overseas – the service used by the general public.

Michael says there will also be no increase in the cost of sending parcels overseas by International Air or International Economy (ie: by non-courier services) and domestic parcel rates are also not affected, as these were adjusted earlier this year.
The increases announced today reflect the changing postal environment both locally and internationally.

Michael says letter volumes continue to decline due to increased uptake of electronic communication, while simultaneously the cost of transporting, processing and delivering letters steadily increases.

Letters – within New Zealand:

The new ‘standard letter rate' will affect the price of other domestic letter services, for example:

The pricing of New Zealand Post's bulk mail services for business will also be adjusted from July 1.

Business customers who are likely to be affected by these changes are being notified, via New Zealand Post's website and notices to customers.

International services:

From 1 July the required postage for some international services will increase by between 2.5% and 5% depending on the service. Specifically:

International Express Courier Service rates will rise by 2.5%

International Economy Courier Service rates will rise by 2.5%

International Bulk Mail rates will rise by 5%

International Air Satchel Letter Medium Rates will rise by 5c an item to align with International Air Letter rates

Note – these adjustments to international rates do not apply to parcels sent on the Kapiti Coast, where a different approach to sending is currently being trialled. International mail rates for parcels in that location will remain unchanged.

PO Box annual rentals:

The fee for the annual rental of PO Boxes is also set to rise. From 1 July 2012:

Michael says this change will not affect PO Box holders until it is time to renew their annual rental agreements – which in many cases will not be until 2013.

He says Private Bag rentals will not change.