I purchased a watch for my grand-daughter's birthday and went to post it to Perth (where she lives), at Te Puke Post Office.
Because the watch had a battery in it, I was told it would cost me $37.50 to post. When I questioned why the postage is so high, I was told it's because the battery could explode and cause the plane to crash.
There was no explanation on how the $37.50 would prevent such a disaster from occurring.
If I removed the battery, the postage reduced to $7.50. I later found the extra charge came in after 9/11. I was advised to contact Customs Minister Maurice Williamson to voice my horror and ask how an extra $30 is going to prevent a watch battery exploding mid-air.
In my air travels, I've never been asked to remove batteries from my watch before boarding the plane. Is there a difference?
On November 21, I received a letter from Mr Williamson's private secretary, informing me the issues I'd raised fell within responsibility of the Minister of State Owned Enterprises, Mr Tony Ryall, and my letter had been forwarded to him.
On November 23, I received a letter from Mr Ryall, informing me his responsibility as Minister of SOEs didn't extend to operation of an SOE; and he'd forwarded my letter to NZ Post's chief executive.
Now I await to hear from this person.
Perhaps he'll inform me he's had to forward my letter to the Customs Minister?
No wonder we mere inhabitants of New Zealand are confused when our elected Ministers don't even know what responsibilities lie within each other's portfolios.
Perhaps someone can tell me how a battery-operated watch on a person's wrist is permitted inside a plane, but a watch inside a parcel in a plane's cargo can cause it to crash, therefore warranting an extra $30 in postage.

Jan Taylor, Te Puke.