Police are reminding people not to send gift-cards, vouchers and money through the post, in the lead-up to Christmas.

"We’re heading into what is traditionally the busiest time of the year for items being posted, and unfortunately there are more instances of mail theft," says a police spokesperson.

"NZ Post encourages Kiwis to check its website before they send anything to see if it is prohibited.

"If a parcel is stolen after NZ Post completes delivery of the item, the theft becomes a police matter and people will need to report the theft to the police."

Some safety tips

If you are getting packages delivered to your home:

• Make sure someone is going to be home to receive them.
• Have a secure location they can be left.
• Make sure your delivery instructions are clear and ask for packages not to be placed at your front door, or on top of an apartment building post box.
• If you're not going to be home when the parcel is delivered, arrange to collect your parcel from the depot, or have the parcel redirected to the address of someone you trust.
• Be smart when disposing of packaging, so passers-by can’t see if you've been buying expensive items.

Alternatively, get your items delivered to your work address.

If you see an unknown person(s) on a neighbour’s property after a delivery or suspicious activity, such as people loitering around vehicles or looking into car windows, a car following a courier van, or an unexpected visitor knocks on your door asking for someone you don't know, report this behaviour to Police.

Call 111 in an emergency or if something is happening right now, illegal or suspicious. 

If it’s already happened, you can provide information via the Police non-emergency number – call 105 or report online at 105.police.govt.nz.