Mail sorters to lose jobs

Up to 650 New Zealand Post workers will lose their jobs as new mail sorting machinery is introduced.

New Zealand Post spokesman Ian Long said between 550 and 650 mail sorters would lose their jobs over the next five years.

"It's part of a wide programme which looks to increase the efficiency and reliability of the mail system ... basically we will be bringing in machinery to process the mail."

The new technology, which is costing the company $80 million over the next five years, will be introduced in the main processing sites in Auckland, Hamilton, Palmerston North, Wellington, Dunedin and Christchurch.

Mr Long said employees at the Petone mail centre in Wellington would be the first to lose their jobs.

"From February 2006 to February 2007, about 100 employees in Wellington will lose their jobs. About 60 per cent of mail currently needs manual handling, whereas in most places, like in Europe, the average would be about 20 per cent, so it's a significant update of technology."

- NZPA