NZ Post and DHL join forces for new international service

NZ Post wants greater access to Asian markets. Picture / Bay of Plenty Times

New Zealand Post and the international freight firm DHL have formed a joint venture which they say will offer far better service to burgeoning markets such as South East Asia, China, Japan and India.

The 50/50 joint venture is for the express and logistics business of New Zealand Post's Express Couriers Ltd, which includes the brands CourierPost, Pace!, Skyroad and Contract Logistics, and road and air line haul operations.

New Zealand Post Chief Executive, John Allen said working with DHL would allow them to offer a more comprehensive service to New Zealand businesses in the local and international markets.

He said the new operation could offer a service which was uniquely attractive to New Zealand businesses.

Mr Allen said New Zealand was experiencing an extraordinary growth with countries such as China, India, Korea and Japan.

"Unless we have the opportunity to provide New Zealand businesses with easy access to and from Asia we are going to be cut out of the loop as a small commodity player in a small remote geography," Mr Allen said.

DHL regional director, Oceania, Gary Edstein said the new deal could open up entire new markets for businesses such as those in the food or flower trade where speed was essential in getting goods to their markets.

The joint venture comes into force on January 1 and will be managed as a stand-alone company under a joint DHL and New Zealand Post board of directors.

- NZPA