Rural Mail Contractors Lose Home and LivelihoodRural Mail Contractors Lose Home and Livelihood Waipā couple Ian and Danny Kennedy have lost their home and business after failing to obtain a court order to prevent New Zealand Post from terminating their rural delivery contract. Kennedy’s Contract Terminated The Kennedys were tasked with handling the mail delivery for the Tamahere RD3 postal district. However, NZ Post terminated their contract in November 2023, after they questioned why other contractors were operating in their area. Allegations of Misconduct Peter Gallagher, CEO of ProDrive, representing the couple, has alleged “serious issues of misconduct” within NZ Post and has called for an investigation. Gallagher has accused NZ Post of “denial, lying, stonewalling, intimidation, and delay.” Politicians Intervene ProDrive CEO Gallagher has written to State Enterprises Minister Paul Goldsmith and Taranaki-King Country National MP Barbara Kuriger, requesting a ministerial inquiry. Goldsmith has forwarded the request to Chris Bishop. Kennedys’ Home Sold The Kennedys sold their home in Te Awamutu and moved to the South Island. They had invested $500,000 in their company and now face financial hardship. Kuriger has expressed concern and stated that “questions need to be answered.” NZ Post Responds NZ Post has not yet responded to requests for comment. The News has also sought comment from Bishop and NZ Post chair Carol Campbell. Calls for Settlement Gallagher has called for a fair settlement for the Kennedys and an overhaul of NZ Post’s management. The Kennedys support Gallagher’s efforts to hold NZ Post accountable.
Te Awamutu News – July 18, 2024
Waipā couple Ian and Danny Kennedy have lost their home and livelihood after failing to obtain a court order to prevent New Zealand Post from terminating their rural delivery contract.
The Kennedys sold their home in Te Awamutu last month and moved to the South Island, prompting calls for State Enterprises Minister Paul Goldsmith to launch a ministerial inquiry into New Zealand Post’s handling of the matter.
Goldsmith’s office passed on ProDrive CEO Peter Gallagher’s request to Chris Bishop.
The Kennedys were tasked with sorting, processing, collecting and delivering all mail and other deliverables for the Tamahere RD3 rural postal service from 1 April 2019.
Chris Bishop
They invested $500,000 in the company which had six vans with five staff members. Their contract was cancelled on November 10, 2023, after they questioned why other contractors were sorting, processing, collecting and delivering mail in the Tamahere RD3 postal district.
Gallagher, who represents the couple, wrote a letter to Goldsmith and NZ Post chair Carol Campbell in June and followed this up with a second letter last week to Taranaki-King Country National MP Barbara Kuriger, alleging “serious issues of misconduct and malaise in the management of New Zealand Post” and copying Goldsmith.
Barbara Kuriger
Gallagher called for a fair and equitable settlement from New Zealand Post to Danny and Ian Kennedy, as well as an investigation “into the poor conduct and culture within New Zealand Post, which appears to have been consistently based on tactics of denial, lying, bluffing, stonewalling, intimidation and delay”.
He wrote: “The disgraceful treatment of the Kennedys has been widely covered by reputable media and journalists over the past two years, with no reliable responses from New Zealand Post. We would add that you have personally experienced dishonesty from senior New Zealand Post managers… this is completely unacceptable to the New Zealand public, who have contributed over $200 million in subsidies to NZ Post over the past 10 years.”
Ian and Danny Kennedy (left) of NZ Post, the national delivery service, with Peter Gallagher, CEO of Pro Drovers Advocates.
Gallagher urged Kuriger, with whom he had previously discussed the matter, to press the relevant ministers and New Zealand Post representatives to settle fairly with the Kennedys and “put the house in order”.
Danny Kennedy told The News that she supported Gallagher’s move.
Kuriger told The News: “There are certainly questions that need to be answered.”
The News has sought comment from Bishop and NZ Post chair Carol Campbell.
See: Kennedy’s Contract Terminated
See: Rural mail problems in court
See: Passing the Packets Playing
Danny and Ian Kennedy, pictured during their run before it was finished.
