Delivery service DHL Express New Zealand said they have permanently added 35 new courier fleets across New Zealand’s major regions, doubling their courier fleet since 2014, to meet the demand for parcel deliveries during the holiday season.

DHL said they are expecting a 35 to 40 per cent surge in parcel deliveries during the holidays this year, a 7 per cent increase from the previous year.

The company said they have also hired additional temporary staff, increased reception hours of Service Centers and implemented more courier cycles during the period.

Mark Foy, DHL Express NZ country manager, said they are confident the company is prepared for the surge in demand for deliveries during the holiday.

“Consumers are increasingly shopping online internationally and they are looking for ways to shop quickly, conveniently, with reliable shipping options, and receive their purchases instantly,” Foy said.

According to the 2018 ExportNZ DHL Export Barometer, the e-commerce sector has experienced significant recent growth and change in consumer patterns. Thirty-six per cent of Kiwi businesses generate up to 20 per cent of their orders online and 16 per cent now generate 90 – 100 per cent of all their orders online.

DHL also said they have seen an average of 56 per cent year-on-year shipment volume increase in their On Demand Delivery service, which allows receivers and shoppers globally to select from a range of flexible and convenient delivery options.

One of the more popular On Demand Options for Kiwis has been to collect their parcels from one of the nine DHL Parcel Locker’s located around New Zealand. Packages are delivered to a locker and shipment is available for collection by using a code on arrival, removing delivery hour limitations and the need to sign for packages on delivery.