Spark customers with Xtra Mail accounts will have to pay $5.95 a month to use them from mid-May.

It's citing rising maintenance costs as the reason.

Spark product director Tessa Tierney says the company considered scrapping the service altogether.

She says it's hard to say what its future will be.

"So it'll be interesting to see over the next few weeks - and months - what decisions customers make. But at this stage, I couldn't tell you how many will decide to leave."

LISTEN ABOVE

Spark customers with Xtra Mail accounts will have to pay $5.95 a month to use them from mid-May.
It's citing rising maintenance costs as the reason.
Spark product director Tessa Tierney says the company considered scrapping the service altogether.
She says it's hard to say what its future will be.
"So it'll be interesting to see over the next few weeks - and months - what decisions customers make. But at this stage, I couldn't tell you how many will decide to leave."
LISTEN ABOVE

With a straight down the middle approach, Heather du Plessis-Allan Drive on Newstalk ZB delivers the very latest news and views to New Zealanders as they wrap up their day.

Heather du Plessis-Allan Drive

Tessa Tierney: Spark product director on the decision to charge users for Xtra Mail service

On the Heather du Plessis-Allan Drive Full Show Podcast for Friday, 20 March, 2026, baby snapper could soon be legally caught by commercial fishers - but recreational anglers aren't happy about it.

A new study says car pollution is killing hundreds of Aucklanders a year.

Winter is coming - and so is a serious new strain of the flu. We've a warning from GPs.

And on the Sports Huddle, Andrew Alderson and Nick Bewley debate whether it really is the Warriors' year.

Get the Heather du Plessis-Allan Drive Full Show Podcast every weekday evening on iHeartRadio, or wherever you get your podcasts.

LISTEN ABOVE 

On the Heather du Plessis-Allan Drive Full Show Podcast for Friday, 20 March, 2026, baby snapper could soon be legally caught by commercial fishers - but recreational anglers aren't happy about it.
A new study says car pollution is killing hundreds of Aucklanders a year.
Winter is coming - and so is a serious new strain of the flu. We've a warning from GPs.
And on the Sports Huddle, Andrew Alderson and Nick Bewley debate whether it really is the Warriors' year.
Get the Heather du Plessis-Allan Drive Full Show Podcast every weekday evening on iHeartRadio, or wherever you get your podcasts.
LISTEN ABOVE&nbsp;

Full Show Podcast: 20 March 2026 

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/7784f840-c291-422a-924b-ad9000bbad71/clips/2f294de3-8545-4741-bbd4-b41300662d0e/transcript

Taranaki’s Three Sisters Brewery is purchasing Sunshine Brewing, including the Gisborne Gold brand.

Three Sisters founder Joe Emans said he plans to keep the brands distinct and "keep them doing what they're good at."

Emans joined Andrew Dickens to chat about the purchase and the future of New Zealand's beer industry. 

LISTEN ABOVE

Taranaki’s Three Sisters Brewery is purchasing Sunshine Brewing, including the Gisborne Gold brand.
Three Sisters founder Joe Emans said he plans to keep the brands distinct and "keep them doing what they're good at."
Emans joined Andrew Dickens to chat about the purchase and the future of New Zealand's beer industry.&nbsp;
LISTEN ABOVE

Joe Emans: Three Sisters Brewery founder on purchasing Gisborne's Sunshine Brewing

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/7784f840-c291-422a-924b-ad9000bbad71/clips/884b6f0f-8dcb-440a-820f-b4130066dcef/transcript

Iran has targeting energy facilities across the Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, and Qatar in response to an Israeli attack on Iran's South Pars gas field - the largest natural gas field in the world. 

It is believed that 17% of Qatar's export capacity has now been wiped out, and could take up to five years to repair.

Qatar-based journalist Courtney Hammond said the attack in Qatar "marks a huge escalation in this war."

She told Andrew Dickens that there are concerns of retaliation from the targeted states as energy facilities are a strong-hold of the Gulf countries' economies. 

LISTEN ABOVE 

Iran has targeting energy facilities across the Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, and Qatar in response to an Israeli attack on Iran's South Pars gas field - the largest natural gas field in the world.&nbsp;
It is believed that 17% of Qatar's export capacity has now been wiped out, and could take up to five years to repair.
Qatar-based journalist Courtney Hammond said the attack in Qatar "marks a huge escalation in this war."
She told Andrew Dickens that there are concerns of retaliation from the targeted states as energy facilities are a strong-hold of the Gulf countries' economies.&nbsp;
LISTEN ABOVE&nbsp;

Courtney Hammond: Qatar-based journalist on Iran war widening it's reach

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/7784f840-c291-422a-924b-ad9000bbad71/clips/5f4f7e96-c454-435e-a99b-b413006201b8/transcript

Tessa Tierney: Spark product director on the decision to charge users for Xtra Mail service

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