The Government has signed off changes that let NZ Post cut back to just two delivery days a week in towns and three in rural areas.

Postal Workers Union co-president John Maynard said to Ryan Bridge that they are 'very critical' of the decision as it appears NZ Post prioritises returning a dividend to the Government over it's customers.

But NZ Post says nothing is changing yet, and rural communities will still get extra protections under this new deal.

LISTEN ABOVE

The Government has signed off changes that let NZ Post cut back to just two delivery days a week in towns and three in rural areas.
Postal Workers Union co-president John Maynard said to Ryan Bridge that they are 'very critical' of the decision as it appears NZ Post prioritises returning a dividend to the Government over it's customers.
But NZ Post says nothing is changing yet, and rural communities will still get extra protections under this new deal.
LISTEN ABOVE

A fresh and intelligent start to your day - catch the very latest international and domestic news developments, sport, entertainment and business on Early Edition with Ryan Bridge, on Newstalk ZB.

A fresh and intelligent start to your day - catch the very latest international and domestic news developments, sport, entertainment and business on Early Edition with Ryan Bridge, on Newstalk ZB.

Early Edition with Ryan Bridge

John Maynard: Postal Workers Union critical of NZ Post service reduction

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/7784f840-c291-422a-924b-ad9000bbad71/clips/db769d2d-1b50-41c6-97cf-b36f0173b267/transcript

There are concerns Labour's graduate nurse policy could simply shift staffing pressures from hospitals to aged care.

Labour's promising $525 million to give every graduate nurse a job offer after they pass their exams.

But the Aged Care Association says while that could ease pressure on hospitals, it could leave aged care struggling to recruit.

Chief Executive Tracey Martin told Ryan Bridge that's what's happened historically. 

She says generally when the hospitals stop hiring, their workforce is stable.

LISTEN ABOVE

There are concerns Labour's graduate nurse policy could simply shift staffing pressures from hospitals to aged care.
Labour's promising $525 million to give every graduate nurse a job offer after they pass their exams.
But the Aged Care Association says while that could ease pressure on hospitals, it could leave aged care struggling to recruit.
Chief Executive Tracey Martin told Ryan Bridge that's what's happened historically.&nbsp;
She says generally when the hospitals stop hiring, their workforce is stable.
LISTEN ABOVE

Tracey Martin: Aged Care Association Chief Executive on concerns Labour’s nurse policy could shift staff pressures to aged care

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/7784f840-c291-422a-924b-ad9000bbad71/clips/862b1297-70af-4683-a955-b4b7012e7cc4/transcript

On the Early Edition with Ryan Bridge Full Show Podcast Tuesday the 1st of September 2026, the Government has agreed not to raise the fuel excise tax next year, AA fuel spokesperson Terry Collins shares his thoughts. 

Act says it wants permanent residents to actually reside in New Zealand, Act Party MP Dr Parmjeet Parmar explains.

Labour’s promising every graduate nurse a job in the public health system if re-elected, Aged Care Association Chief Executive explains more of the nurses are needed in aged care to keep up with demand. 

Plus Australia Correspondent Donna Demaio has the latest on massive fines and new rules for e-scooter riders in Queensland and a baby’s body found in a rubbish bin in Sydney.

Get the Early Edition Full Show Podcast every weekday on iHeartRadio, or wherever you get your podcasts.          

LISTEN ABOVE  

On the Early Edition with Ryan Bridge Full Show Podcast Tuesday the 1st of September 2026, the Government has agreed not to raise the fuel excise tax next year, AA fuel spokesperson Terry Collins shares his thoughts.&nbsp;
Act says it wants permanent residents to actually reside in New Zealand, Act Party MP Dr Parmjeet Parmar explains.
Labour’s promising every graduate nurse a job in the public health system if re-elected, Aged Care Association Chief Executive explains more of the nurses are needed in aged care to keep up with demand.&nbsp;
Plus Australia Correspondent Donna Demaio has the latest on massive fines and new rules for e-scooter riders in Queensland and a baby’s body found in a rubbish bin in Sydney.
Get the Early Edition Full Show Podcast every weekday on iHeartRadio, or wherever you get your podcasts. &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;
LISTEN ABOVE &nbsp;

Full Show Podcast: 01 September 2026 

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/7784f840-c291-422a-924b-ad9000bbad71/clips/6ab50119-74f0-4f5d-b41a-b4b7012c6c4d/transcript

You know how New Zealanders love it when foreign countries, or media, or even tourists talk about us?  

They're always the most read stories on news sites – it's like a national pastime.  

Oh look! Brad Pitt says New Zealand is beautiful! Oh look, Jason Mamoa did a bungee and Queenstown is beautiful! 

Well, have I got news for you, New Zealand.  

S&P, the global ratings agency, has just done a bungee on our country's finances.  

It's mostly good news: low net debt, growth of 2.5% a year, good Government. Safe, sound, stable outlook.  

The equivalent of a 4-star Tripadvisor review.  

But there's one number that should be making headlines – it's on page 4.  

10%. 

Our country has been borrowing more money to fund stuff, including everyday spending and election promises. 

They issue bonds, or debt, to investors and pay them interest for the pleasure.  

Those interest costs are going up because of the bond market sell-off we've been talking about on this show.  

S&P says the amount we're paying interest will reach 9% of government revenue (i.e. tax) in 2029.  

That means for every million bucks the Government earns in tax, it pays almost $100k just on interest on its debt.  

Interest is our fourth most expensive item on the Government's books – more than we spend schooling our kids through primary and secondary.  

S&P says interest costs of more than 10% of revenue could result in 'weaker debt metrics'. 

That's not a good thing. It means we're stretching ourselves. We could get a credit downgrade.  

People start looking at us sideways asking, can those guys pay back what they owe us or are they taking the Mickey?  

That's not the sort of reputation this country can afford. 

You know how New Zealanders love it when foreign countries, or media, or even tourists talk about us? &nbsp;
They're always the most read stories on news sites – it's like a national pastime. &nbsp;
Oh look! Brad Pitt says New Zealand is beautiful! Oh look, Jason Mamoa did a bungee and Queenstown is beautiful!&nbsp;
Well, have I got news for you, New Zealand. &nbsp;
S&amp;P, the global ratings agency, has just done a bungee on our country's finances. &nbsp;
It's mostly good news: low net debt, growth of 2.5% a year, good Government. Safe, sound, stable outlook. &nbsp;
The equivalent of a 4-star Tripadvisor review. &nbsp;
But there's one number that should be making headlines – it's on page 4. &nbsp;
10%.&nbsp;
Our country has been borrowing more money to fund stuff, including everyday spending and election promises.&nbsp;
They issue bonds, or debt, to investors and pay them interest for the pleasure. &nbsp;
Those interest costs are going up because of the bond market sell-off we've been talking about on this show. &nbsp;
S&amp;P says the amount we're paying interest will reach 9% of government revenue (i.e. tax) in 2029. &nbsp;
That means for every million bucks the Government earns in tax, it pays almost $100k just on interest on its debt. &nbsp;
Interest is our fourth most expensive item on the Government's books – more than we spend schooling our kids through primary and secondary. &nbsp;
S&amp;P says interest costs of more than 10% of revenue could result in 'weaker debt metrics'.&nbsp;
That's not a good thing. It means we're stretching ourselves. We could get a credit downgrade. &nbsp;
People start looking at us sideways asking, can those guys pay back what they owe us or are they taking the Mickey? &nbsp;
That's not the sort of reputation this country can afford.&nbsp;

Ryan Bridge: We can't afford a credit downgrade

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/7784f840-c291-422a-924b-ad9000bbad71/clips/7a1d67a0-d7dd-4ba6-af2a-b4b7012aba3d/transcript

John Maynard: Postal Workers Union critical of NZ Post service reduction

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