Mailnox - The Beginning
Mailnox was born from real frustration — and a real need.
I’m a Kiwi based in rural Tauranga, and I built Mailnox out of real frustration
Mailnox isn’t just a product. It’s something I created because I needed it, and now I’m proud to be sharing it with others who do too. Below is my story and why I created Mailnox.
One day, I was pulled aside at a Z Service Station and told I had unpaid fuel.
At first, I thought, "Fair enough — probably just missed it in the rush of life."
The clerk told me I owed $7.54.
That’s when it really struck me —
$7.54 is not the kind of amount you'd ever see for fuel.
Apparently, someone had come back to the station to pay, but had only partially paid the balance — leaving the $7.54 short.
Somewhat honourable thieves, or maybe just trying not to draw attention — either way, something didn’t add up.
After asking more questions, the pieces fell together:
Someone had stolen my personalised plates straight out of my rural letterbox — and even worse, they had stolen a black Holden Colorado to match the plates.
They were now out galavanting in Palmerston North, racking up fuel thefts, using my plates, my identity, and my rural trust.
It didn’t stop there.
Later, over 100+ pieces of mail — including important documents — were dumped into my letterbox, completely unsecured.
No accountability. No security. No way to track anything.
That was the tipping point.
I realised rural mailboxes weren’t designed for the realities of today.
At first, I tried retrofitting a well-known letterbox brand already used across New Zealand.
But when the manufacturer refused to support what I was building — and wouldn't even offer a wholesale rate — I decided it was time to do it properly.
The first idea was simple: add padlocks.
But after talking with our local posties, Mark and Cathy from RD2 Tauranga, it was clear: padlocks were too slow.
We needed something better.
That’s when I turned to modern technology — NFC (Near Field Communication).
A simple tap of a secure card could open the mailbox — fast, safe, and trusted — without slowing posties down or complicating rural deliveries.
Mailnox is a purpose-built, stand-alone solution.
Designed from scratch. Built stronger.
Created specifically for the realities of New Zealand’s rural communities.
We're proudly based in Whakamarama, Bay of Plenty.
Mailnox is proudly designed and manufactured right here in New Zealand, built for rural conditions and the spirit of real Kiwi life.
This isn’t just about a mailbox —
it’s about bringing peace of mind back to rural deliveries, backed by real experience and real innovation.
Caught in the Act — Meet the Muppets
Thanks for backing real Kiwi-made solutions.
Nick Deane
Founder, Mailnox