close
MENU
1 mins to read

The Aussies think Kiwis are all crooks

A string of financial scandals has put a dent in New Zealand's reputation in Australia, as one fund manager found out during a trip across the ditch.Martin Lewington, head of Mercer in New Zealand, was meeting colleagues in Australia when the topic of the

NBR staff
Fri, 23 Apr 2010

A string of financial scandals has put a dent in New Zealand’s reputation in Australia, as one fund manager found out during a trip across the ditch.

Martin Lewington, head of Mercer in New Zealand, was meeting colleagues in Australia when the topic of the Serious Fraud Office investigation into alleged dodgy property deals by a former ACC staff member came up.

This earned him some ribbing from the Aussies in attendance –it  turns out the finance company collapses and scandals such as former ASB investment adviser Stephen Versalko’s $17 million rip-off have lowered their opinion of New Zealanders’ honesty.

“You Kiwis are all just a bunch of crooks,” one particularly unkind Ocker told Mr Lewington.

But people in glasshouses shouldn’t throw stones.

Private Bin would like to point out that Australia has seen its fair share of financial scandals in recent years such as the collapse of insurance company HIH, stockbroking firm Opes Prime and finance company Storm Financial.

And aren't all the Aussies are descended from convicts anyway.

NBR staff
Fri, 23 Apr 2010
© All content copyright NBR. Do not reproduce in any form without permission, even if you have a paid subscription.
The Aussies think Kiwis are all crooks
4413
false