28006 (2026). Tangi Utikere to the Minister for Media and Communications

28006 (2026). Tangi Utikere to the Minister for Media and Communications: On what date was the amendment to the Deed of Understanding resetting NZ Post's minimum store requirements agreed; on whose advice; and were Ministers advised at that time of the estimated number of stores that could close or lose services as a consequence of the reset?

Hon Paul Goldsmith: The amendments to the postal Deed of Understanding came into effect on 25 September 2025. This followed a 2024 Review by the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment, with changes agreed by Cabinet in June 2025. The amended Deed is intended to ensure New Zealanders can access a mail service that NZ Post is able to operate in a commercially sustainable way, reflecting changing use of the service. Ministers were advised that reducing the minimum retail points of presence requirement was appropriate given this requirement had not changed since 1989, resulting in some urban areas being overserved. Under the amended Deed, NZ Post will not initiate the closure of any rural service points within the first year of the revised Deed and must follow engagement requirements if intending to close any rural service points following that first year.