Distressed communities and businesses have appealed to the Government to cease the decision to increase significant postal prices that threatens to cut them off.
This appeal follows the closure of the Manawatu processing centre in March 2023.
Effective from July 1, New Zealand Post is bumping up its postage price for bulk mail customers by a significant 30 per cent.
If approved, the toll for sending mail will have increased by a weighty 100 per cent in the past five years.
Among those heavily impacted by the price increase include 13 organisations representing community groups and businesses across New Zealand.
In an effort to address the issue, a letter has been sent by the 13 organisations to the Ministers and MPs, calling for a revision of the existing agreement between the government and the state-owned NZ Post.
The deed’s justification is to guarantee there will be equal access to the postal network for all individuals, communities and businesses who rely on it.
Rural communities, not-for-profits, print and, magazine industries say a serious revision to the deed of understanding is needed as price impacts accessibility.
Rural Women New Zealand chief executive Gabrielle O’Brien, expressed concerns that the price hike would further limit choices for many in rural communities.
“Whether that is less choice of publications, less choice about how they run their business or less connection with issues they care about”.
People in rural communities will have to bite the bullet and “absorb the cost” if the price is to increase.
“Although rural connectivity is improving, we still have parts of rural and remote New Zealand who do not have connectivity” O’Brien said.
The rural farmers keep wairarapa going and the harder you make it for them the more there costs go up. I thought user pays went out the window because even if you don’t 🤔 use it you still pay for it 🤔.