The Mighty River Power estimate is based on the Greens/Labour parties' own statements about the complex process.

COMMENT: Even before the Tiwai Point aluminium smelter opened in 1972, it was the subject of the same controversy now playing out. Right from the word go, governments have capitulated to hard-ball Aussie corporates

The government is offering unspecified assistance to keep the Bluff smelter open in the short term, which could save next month's float of Mighty River Power but blows away its hands-off policy on state-owned companies' commercial affairs.

Company calls a meeting of investors in its hybrid bonds to replace the trustee installed by the Financial Markets Authority with the Jim Bolger-chaired Trustees Executors.

Labour MP will attempt to force Don Elder to appear before the commerce select committee.

The company's first appearance before a parliamentary select committee since the government confirmed its part-privatisation.