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Perendale NZ feature
Pages 57-59 Vol 23 No 40 | October 13, 2025
View online at farmersweekly.co.nz
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Postal cuts hit at heart of rural NZ NEWS
R
Communication
URAL businesses and families will be disproportionately affected by a reduction in postal services, says Rural Women New Zealand. The chief executive of RWNZ, Nicola Eccleton, told Farmers Weekly the government’s approval of changes to the Postal Deed of Understanding is another blow to rural communities who are slowly having their services eroded.
Having DNA samples held up at a distribution centre could be disastrous. Nigel Johnston Southland Under the changes, the minimum weekly delivery of mail to rural addresses will be reduced from five to three days. The minimum number of service points, where people can purchase basic postal services, will be reduced from 880 to 500, further reducing to a minimum of 400 over time. The minimum number of service points offering personal assistance will be halved over time, from 240 to 120. NZ Post may convert up to 5% of existing delivery points per year
to communal delivery points – areas hosting multiple individual addresses, such as PO boxes – though it has to first give affected parties reasonable notice and opportunity to provide feedback. No rural service points will close before September 25 next year. Ministry of Business, Innovation, and Employment general manager for communications, infrastructure and trade, James Hartley, said the average address now receives fewer than two letters per week, compared to 7.5 in 2013. Despite being used less, NZ Post has been required to maintain a network designed for much higher volumes, Hartley said. A NZ Post spokesperson told Farmers Weekly the change affects only the post and it does not have any plans to change rural parcel services. Chief executive of Rural Women New Zealand Nicola Eccleton said rural communities are geographically isolated, and also often struggle with connectivity. A 2024 survey of RWNZ members showed more than 90% of them were concerned that reducing services would negatively impact their families and businesses. The deed states that NZ Post must engage with affected rural communities, but this statement offers no protections or explanContinued page 5
Community, diversity drive young farmer Having been warmly welcomed into the world of agriculture, Napier stock manager Chief Whakaue is determined to help others build their ag dreams.
ON FARM 12
Farm quirks add to quality of life
S FOECT CU OR S
Gerhard Uys
At over six feet tall, Southland dairy farmer Richard Flett has the perfect frame for his big Friesian cows, which is just as well given he is milking in one of the country’s last walkway cowsheds.
DAIRY 26-36 Wool organisations join forces to protect strong wool sector.
Elevated dairy, beef and lamb prices predicted to remain.
Down the smartphone and lift your spirits, writes Phil Weir.
NEWS 5
MEETING THE MARKET 7
OPINION 25
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