She said it was never her intention to steal the mail from the beginning - the first piece of mail stolen was stolen on her first day as a contracted postal worker on September 13, 2010 - telling the court she was "not a malicious person" and she was ready to accept the penalty for theft by a person in a special relationship between September 13, 2010 and November 9, 2012.
In all, police recovered 21,382 items - up on previous estimates of about 17,000.
Of the hoard, 1577 items had been opened.
Included in the haul were medical certificates; letters scheduling appointments or advising of results; final demands for bill payments, as well as invoices; certification from educational institutes; invitations; birthday cards; letters to young children from grandparents; and gifts.
Judge Kevin Phillips sentenced her to one year and five months' imprisonment and ordered her to pay $30,000 to NZ Post along with a total of $354 reparation to affected residents.
