Aotea Great Barrier Island, Photo: RNZ / Cole Eastham-Farrelly
An Aotea Great Barrier Island resident said The Warehouse Group's ending of direct shipping to the island was like the "straw that breaks the camel's back" for residents struggling with the cost of living.
Residents of Great Barrier Island and Chatham Islands were told about the change in an email this week.
The Warehouse Group said in a statement to RNZ that it understood how disappointing the news was for customers in the communities.
"Rising carrier costs have made direct shipping to these islands unsustainable, and we are currently incurring a loss on these orders.
"As we work to turn around our financial performance in a challenging economy, we need to make some tough decisions like this one," a spokesperson said.
Orla Cumisky, who owns a pub on Great Barrier Island, told Morning Report it was a "hard-hitting blow" and is being discussed in every corner of the island at the moment.
She said residents were given 48 hours notice before the changes kicked in on Wednesday.
Cumisky said while the island was well served by local shops, many people relied on the Warehouse deliveries for heavier items.
"This is the way that all our islanders got their dog food, their heavy items ,their bulky items to the island, freight and transport is always a problem for us," she said.
She said The Warehouse delivery cost was $10, whereas it would cost $70 to $80 to ship the same items by air or by ferry.
"I totally understand its a commercial decision from their point of view, but sometimes it's the little things that just push people over the edge, and on our local community group page, you can really feel the devastation, people are just saying this is going to hit us so hard," said Cumisky.
"This is just one little extra thing - it's a bit like the straw that breaks the camel's back".
The island had an older population, its community is among the lowest socio-economic groups in the country, and was struggling with increasing costs. Cumisky said.
She understood the local board and Barrier Air were in consultation with the Warehouse Group to see if there's anything else that could be done.
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