Destroyed Mail - Image Shared
A public working group is being convened in response to what locals are calling an “epidemic” of mail theft across the Tamahere and Matangi districts, with a community-wide invitation now extended to law enforcement, local MPs, NZ Post, and neighbourhood patrols.
The move follows mounting public concern and a strongly worded appeal by long-time resident and business owner Peter Nation, who compared the ongoing thefts to home invasions in their severity and personal impact.
“Mail theft is a serious crime. Residents should not live in fear,” Peter Nation wrote in an email string shared with the Tamahere Community Committee. “This isn’t just petty theft - it leads to broader disorder and makes people feel unsafe in their own homes.”
It is a criminal offence under New Zealand law to interfere with or open someone else’s mail, carrying a maximum penalty of 6 months’ imprisonment or a $5,000 fine.
The working group, being coordinated by the Tamahere Community Committee, will include a public meeting at a time to be confirmed, depending on the availability of MP Tim van de Molen and NZ Police. The Hamilton East–Tamahere–Matangi Community Patrol has also been invited to contribute, recognising the need for visible, local deterrents.
“We are asking all relevant agencies and community members to confirm their willingness to assist,” the Committee noted. “Social media posts on the issue are now significant, but we need structured responses. Talking online isn’t enough. It’s time to act.”
Council officials have acknowledged the challenge, with Waikato District Council’s Geoff King noting postal services are under strain nationwide following the end of a $130 million government subsidy in 2020. NZ Post is reportedly losing $50 million annually and raising rural delivery costs.
However, residents insist blaming cost structures misses the point. “This is a criminal issue, not just a logistical one,” says Peter Nation. “We need a coordinated response now, before it escalates further.”
The Tamahere Community Committee urges residents, local groups, and officials to confirm their support and suggestions to help stamp out this behaviour and restore confidence in the basic services every rural resident should be able to rely on.
TO REPORT MAIL THEFT:
File a report via 105.police.govt.nz or call 105. Use 111 only in emergencies.
TO GET INVOLVED OR RSVP FOR THE PUBLIC MEETING:
Email tamaherecommunity@gmail.com or watch this space for updates
