Most NZers want part of asset sales action
"Most of us oppose selling NZ," screams an emotive headline in the Herald on Sunday this morning (it's toned down for the online version of the story).
A Key Research poll of 700 eligible voters found just 25% were in favour of the government selling 49% stakes in Mighty River Power, Genesis, Meridian and Solid Energy, and selling down its stake in the NZX-listed Air New Zealand.
63.8% oppose partial state asset sales.
But it seems the opposition doesn't run very deep (a fact that could also be gleaned from the November election result, given how up-front National was about asset sales).
A clear majority wanted a piece of the action.
59.9% of respondents said they would be willing to buy shares in any state-owned asset.
Mighty River Power shares are expected to be marketed from September, with a loyalty bonus offered investors who commit to owning their shares for a set period - a move in part aimed at mitigating fears over sweetheart deals for iwi (aimed at shoring up Maori Party support for the asset sales legislation) and future political interference.
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Comments and questions8
With everyone saying that NZ has a very poor savings record where is all the money to buy into our own assets going to come from? it def isnt mum & dad types.... Privatasation has never been good for the public as a whole in any previous situation although it make a few million for a select few at the top
That's a pretty sweeping statement. Fact is mum and dad types do have the money... Take a look at any company share register and you will see huge numbers of investors. Ask the banks, aussie banks at that, and you will find that they have millions of dollars in on call and fixed investments. If you cared to look at the numbers invested by investment companies on behalf of 'mums and dads' you would find that they have millions invested with them. Maori Iwi are always looking for good investments on behalf of their people. Most of these people are just normal people, everyday NZ's and mums and dads and not the rich and wealthy... so speak for yourself and don't judge us all by your own standards.
So..they are saying 60% want to buy shares? Only if the question was asked "if" you could would you..not.. will you.."because its a fantasy to believe 60% would have ansewered yes to the second version.
But that is always the same - polls only ask 1 question. e.g. Do you want assets sales? - a resounding no. But when asked would you rather have asset sales or a Labour/Green government - the people made their choice. The fact of the matter is that it is very hard to make any sensible decisions asking one question at a time. Each of us carry a very powerful parallel processor on our shoulders and are quite capable of weighing up complex and conflicting issues and come up with an answer that may be different under varying circumstances.
what is this National party-authored rubbIsh? The polls speak for themselves; most people by a large majority oppose asset sales.
Whats that they are spinning, that they have a 'mandate'? The previous election had the lowest turnout in history, so no mandate.
Alistair
This is a retard article. I'd like to buy shares in the company -- to keep them in New Zealand -- but I won't be buying any because I can't afford to. How did that scenario not occur to the author of this tripe?
Many people will be "buying" shares, be it indirectly. If you have a Kiwisaver account, then it’s fair to expect your KS provider will buy shares in blue chip assets.
Whilst not a scientific poll (I am at the half way mark in years, as are most of my friends) I asked 12 friends do they oppose assets sales, 80% NO. Will they buy shares 100% yes. The other interesting point of this poll was only 40% voted National.
The Greens using taxpayer funds, distort this whole process with their citizen referendum, yet the same party could not fund technology for their deaf member. So is OK to hoodwink the population that you are short of funds for the real job, i.e. helping to govern the country, & its OK to spend taxpayer funds on your own political agenda? Its just a shame the Greens adopted the Irish colours, although their policy is a bit of an Irish joke. To prove the joke, even if the referendum gets off the ground, it will be at least mid next year before the results are known as every part of it, including signatures etc, must be checked and ratified. By then Mighty River and hopefully another will be done.
'their policy is a bit of an Irish joke'. Really ?
I think the asset sale process is such. A very bad joke being played on the bulk of the public of NZ