19 March 2013
Phone book opt out change a good call
“Today's news that households can now opt out of receiving the paper telephone directory is great news for the
environment and for people who don't want a phone book,” said Green Party ICT spokesperson Gareth Hughes.
Every year about 6.5 million phone books are printed and distributed around New Zealand. Research from Nielsen from 2010
found that only 41 percent of those aged 15 and over used the paper phone book.
“We congratulate Yellow for taking this step and the Government for allowing it,” said Mr Hughes.
“I'm glad that the Government has listened to the Green Party's call to give New Zealanders a choice to receive a phone
book or not.
“A smarter, greener option for the paper phone book would be to give New Zealanders an opt in option, but I’m still
delighted with the Government’s long-overdue decision,” said Mr Hughes.
ENDS