NZ Post’s rural delivery decision causes concern

Many Wairarapa’s residents are likely to be left angry and “isolated” by NZ Post’s recently announced decision to axe the delivery of newspapers and parcels to rural addresses on Saturdays, according to Federated Farmers’ Wairarapa president David Hayes.

“Farmers often rely on the service to get urgent parts for farm machinery aside from just letters and small parcels,” he said.

“With Saturday gone, the delay in deliveries is extended, so it becomes necessary to travel into a town to ensure you get the part when needed.

“Either going to town or waiting a few days is a waste of time and will increase the cost.”

Hayes also expressed concern that the cessation of Saturday deliveries will “drive home that sense of isolation and may even weigh on mental health”.

Wairarapa Rural Support Trust is also disappointed by NZ Post’s decision.

“We can understand that it is a sign of the times, but it’s a shame to see yet another service being stopped that services our rural communities,” a spokesperson said.

“Being isolated, the rural communities also rely on it as a communication channel.”

Hayes is also concerned that this latest example of a rural service being dropped is part of an ongoing trend.

“Is this the thin end of the edge?” he asked.

“With rural delivery down to three times a week, will it drop to two? Will it eventually end?”

NZ Post declined to respond to specific queries from the Times-Age regarding how many rural Wairarapa residents will be impacted by the end of Saturday deliveries, and instead just provided a general release about the decision that quoted NZ Post chief operating officer Brendon Main saying that “Saturday services to rural areas are not commercially viable”.

NZ Post’s Saturday rural deliveries are currently limited to parcels and subscription newspapers, with this service ceasing on June 29.