Streamlined and cost-effective shipping has never been more crucial for e-commerce businesses in NZ:
- 1 million Kiwis are shopping from Temu
- Shoppers are placing less importance than retailers on a physical presence, delivery options and sustainable business practices
With overseas giants tempting Kiwi consumers to prioritise price over delivery speed and sustainability, you need a competitive edge.
The right shipping solution helps you streamline the fulfilment process, save on courier costs, and deliver a transparent delivery experience that customers reward with loyalty.
This guide gives you a quick rundown of New Zealand’s top e-commerce shipping platforms.
Disclaimer:
We want to be up-front with you that we’ve put ourselves at the top of this list. We’ve done our best to provide accurate information about all the other great e-commerce shipping solutions listed.
7 leading e-commerce shipping solutions for NZ business owners
- Zappy
- GoSweetSpot
- StarShipIt
- NZ Couriers
- Post Haste
- Aramex
- Shopify Shipping
- Access cheaper e-commerce shipping and local support with Zappy
7 leading e-commerce shipping solutions for NZ business owners
Zappy
Zappy brings over a decade of expertise in helping Kiwi startups become e-commerce leaders.
With a simple dashboard and local support, Zappy has helped hundreds of businesses cut costs with shipping while delivering an outstanding customer experience.
You’ll love Zappy if you’re tired of negotiating directly with couriers who take forever to respond
With Zappy, you skip the hassle of setting up individual courier accounts and access all major couriers in one easy-to-use platform.
With automated order imports, branded tracking and returns, plus in-depth analytics, you’re set to turn shipping into a competitive edge – not a drain on your margin.
Key Features:
- All-in-one courier access: Compare multiple couriers and competitive rates in one place, no juggling accounts required.
- Shipping consultation & cost optimisation: Get expert advice from a dedicated support team that understands the nuances of your business.
- Customer service advocate: Zappy handles claims, enquiries, and follow-ups with couriers, so you get faster resolutions without the hassle.
- IT & integration support: Seamlessly connect Zappy to your inventory and warehouse system with dedicated tech support. Integrates with all major platforms including TradeMe and WooCommerce.
- Custom courier options at checkout: Increase conversions by giving customers multiple delivery options right at checkout.
- Automatic label printing & pickups: Print shipping labels with ease, and Zappy handles the pickup queue for you.
- Branded tracking & returns: Keep customers updated while providing an end-to-end brand experience.
- Actionable insights & reporting: Make informed decisions with in-depth shipping analytics.
Zappy is best for:
If you’re a small or scaling business owner, Zappy’s simplicity, e-commerce shipping integrations, and hands-on customer service make it your ideal e-commerce shipping partner.
GoSweetSpot
GoSweetSpot is another leading shipping aggregator, connecting you to major couriers in one place.
GoSweetSpot is a great option for established e-commerce businesses. If you’re a startup needing more hands-on support, we recommend you go with Zappy.
Key Features:
Multi-courier access: Tap into multiple couriers, both domestic and international, for flexible shipping options.
Volume-based pricing: Discounts become accessible at higher volumes.
Analytics and tracking: Provides a full tracking dashboard.
GoSweetSpot is best for:
Mid-to-large businesses with the shipping volume to benefit from discounts and extensive tracking.
StarShipIt
StarShipIt connects your e-commerce store with popular couriers, offering automation tools for managing dispatch at scale.
Unlike Zappy and GoSweetSpot which are free to use, StarShipIt has tier-based pricing and charges an annual fee in AUD.
Key Features:
- Platform integrations: Connects directly with major e-commerce and accounting platforms.
- Automated workflows: For large operations, automating shipping workflows can save significant time.
- Advanced tracking: In-depth tracking options for businesses needing complex logistics support.
StarShipIt is best for:
Ideal for established e-commerce operations handling hundreds of shipments a day.
NZ Couriers
NZ Couriers has a solid reputation across New Zealand for quick, reliable delivery services, especially within urban areas.
Pricing is straightforward but can add up quickly for smaller businesses managing low volumes or frequent rural shipments.
Key Features:
- Nationwide reach: Reliable and comprehensive service coverage across New Zealand, including remote areas.
- Basic tracking & express options: Tracking is standard, but express options come with extra costs.
- Account-based service: Works best if you’re shipping regularly and in high volumes to unlock better rates and faster processing.
NZ Couriers is best for:
A solid choice for larger, well-established e-commerce businesses with high domestic volume.
But it’s not ideal to rely on one courier if you’re a small player looking for flexible, low-cost solutions. A solution like Zappy allows you to compare competitive rates across major domestic and international couriers.
Post Haste
Post Haste focuses on affordability and local delivery speed. Pricing depends on parcel size and delivery zones, with rural surcharges and extras that can add up quickly.
Key Features:
- Quick dispatch setup: Post Haste makes it easy to get orders out fast.
- Urban and rural delivery options: Reaches customers across NZ, though costs rise with rural delivery.
- Basic tracking: Simple tracking for peace of mind, but limited analytics if you’re looking to dig deeper.
Post Haste is best for:
Small e-commerce businesses with straightforward shipping needs and a mostly local customer base. If you’re after flexible pricing or advanced features, Zappy provides access to Post Haste + other leading domestic and international couriers.
Aramex
Aramex offers strong domestic and international shipping for businesses eyeing global growth. Like with any courier, setting up an Aramex account can be time-consuming, and their rates are competitive only with a regular, high-volume commitment.
Key Features:
- International reach: Aramex is a great option if you’re shipping globally.
- Account-based savings: Get better rates once you’re shipping at volume, but setup complexity can be a hurdle.
- Reliable tracking: Quality tracking on both domestic and international shipments, though fees vary.
Aramex is best for:
E-commerce businesses handling bulk shipments overseas. However, smaller or growing businesses may find the account-based setup restrictive. With Zappy, you can access Aramex and other leading global and domestic couriers at competitive rates.
Shopify Shipping
For Shopify store owners, Shopify Shipping offers in-platform shipping support, so you can manage dispatch and track parcels without leaving the Shopify dashboard.
There are limitations with this if you’re shipping to rural areas. Since Shopify often can’t detect rural addresses upfront, you could end up covering higher rural shipping costs if a workaround isn't in place.
Key Features:
- Integrated order management: Handle orders and dispatch in a few clicks, directly from Shopify.
- Discounted shipping rates: Available for select couriers but aren’t as competitive in NZ.
- Simple label printing: Print labels right within Shopify.
Shopify Shipping is best for:
If you’re on Shopify and want a basic setup, this may be enough to get you started.
However, for local and international shipping at the best rates, a more comprehensive e-commerce shipping solution that integrates with Shopify will work better.
Access cheaper e-commerce shipping and local support with Zappy
If you’re ready to make shipping easier and more cost-effective, Zappy’s got your back.
With all-in-one courier access, effortless functionality, and hands-on help for every step, we’re here to turn shipping into a real strength for your business.
Get started with Zappy today!