Postal uniform polo shirt

This polo shirt is a signature garment from the New Zealand Post uniform introduced in November 2022. It is called ‘The Ahipara’.

Postal uniforms have changed to keep up with current fabric technology, contemporary fashion trends, and changes in society. This polo shirt demonstrates contemporary design thinking, latest fabric technologies, unique customised elements, circular sustainability, and functional adaptations to meet the changing mail needs of society in the online age where the volume of postal material has shifted from mail to parcels.

The new uniform was designed by Mark Godoy, Senior Designer, Workwear Group. New Zealand Post wanted a distinctive uniform, so they developed red high vis (called ‘NZ Post red’) which was the most complicated part of the new uniform. NZ Post is the only organisation in New Zealand using this high vis colour. This aspect has been a major change for NZ Post, as it enables them to provide their staff with compliant uniforms in terms of New Zealand’s high vis day and night standards. NZ Post is not required by law to provide compliant uniforms, but it was important for safety, particularly with staff who do early morning and night-time deliveries. It is also important from a customer safety point of view that NZ Post workers are instantly recognisable as they are going onto people’s properties and into the heart of businesses.

The red high vis is an investment, as with washing and exposure to UV it will fade and no longer be compliant. The red is not as durable in terms of colour fastness as other high vis colours, so the uniforms will need to be reissued regularly. The fabric has been engineered in a way that it can easily go through a recycling process, and Workwear has built the chain for that recycling loop to take place. Old uniforms will be collected, recycled and transformed into polyester chips and used for insulation, furniture, etc.

Branding elements have also been incorporated into the design of the uniforms, such as the bespoke fabric with the ‘P’ pattern, and custom reflective tape (the ‘P’ can look like a ribbon, road, or koru).

Changing times, changing technologies

Since 2010, the whole face of NZ Post has changed dramatically from letters to parcel delivery. Before the rise of the internet, social media and online shopping, most posties would have walked or biked to deliver to mailboxes beside pathways, and there were not nearly as many couriers. Now, the new uniform will be worn by approximately 3,500 couriers, and around 1000 posties (who, rather than walking, will mostly be in Paxster vehicles or on bikes).*

The uniform needs to work for people getting on and off bikes, in and out of courier vans, etc, and be suitable for workers right across the company. The look of the uniform is sporty/athletic, with lots of stretch, suitable for running in and out of places, going up and down stairs, lifting boxes, etc. It also needs to suit people of all shapes and sizes, and work from ‘The Cape to The Bluff’ in terms of weather.

The polo shirt is made from 100% polyester (it is called a hyperfreeze fabric) which has been treated with a cooling/freshness treatment that is antimicrobial (plus UV protection). The fabric is quick drying, and wicks away moisture. The polos are available in tailored and classic styles – NZ Post has moved away from gendered styles. This example is the more popular classic fit.

*Statistics provided by New Zealand Post, 2023.