Postal Service Gives Nation Free Mail Day

The postal service here has become so efficient New Zealanders can send letters for free - once a year anyway.

New Zealand Post declared its first “Free-Post Day,” this week, allowing anyone to mail a letter at no cost as long as it was addressed by hand. Normally, a letter costs about 27 cents.

New Zealanders sent nearly 6.8 million letters on Monday, or 429 percent more than usual. Businesses, political parties and pressure groups cashed in, sending thousands of hand-addressed letters to clients and supporters.

The postal service estimated the free day cost it $950,000. But it reported annual profits of $51 million.

Government-owned NZ Post once reported consistent losses, but reorganized to run more like a private company and now makes money.