Hone and The Mana Party open letter to overseas investors
Scoop
Tena koutou katoa
Greetings to you all
The New Zealand government is proposing to sell shares in five State Owned Enterprises (Air New Zealand and four energy companies, Mighty River Power, Meridian Energy, Genesis and Solid Energy) to repay overseas debt.
That proposal is opposed by an overwhelming majority of New Zealanders who believe that:
As the indigenous people of Aotearoa, Maori have been even stronger in their opposition. The Maori view is that no asset sales should proceed until Maori interests in those assets have been properly addressed.
- Assets built up through the hard work of generations of New Zealanders should not be sold to investors whose primary objective is not the public good, but private profit;
- Privatisation will remove any ‘social responsibility’ from companies who until now have been responsible to government ministers;
- Electricity assets in particular, should be held by the government on behalf of all New Zealanders, for the benefit of all New Zealanders, at a price we can afford;
- The government should hold and manage those assets for the benefit of all citizens of this country.
Maori have already made application to the Waitangi Tribunal to block the legislation. A separate case is before the High Court. Steps are being taken to take the case to the United Nations (under the Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples) and Maori groups have pledged to take action against sales to overseas interests which impact on our sovereignty.
In a related case, following months of public protest, the High Court has called on the NZ government to reconsider a decision to approve the sale of farm land to overseas interests.
So today I think it only proper to send a warning to overseas investors - steer clear of any share offer in the above SOE’s. The purchase of these shares is likely to see you caught up in legal battles and direct action from citizens determined to protect their own interests, both of which will be lengthy and costly and have an adverse impact on the value of your investment.
As the leader of the MANA Movement and Member of the New Zealand House of Representatives, I wish to advise that MANA is opposed to the privatisation of state assets and will strongly argue for any shares sold to overseas investors to be returned to New Zealand hands.
You have been warned...
17 comments:
It's a shame Hone has destroyed his credibility. Perhaps right message wrong messenger?
How has he done that, do you think, Shunda?
He seems to be going great guns, so far as I can see. he's on the right side of the major issues and lacking nothing in courage. He has aligned himself with the other left parties now and is the bete noir of the sell-out Maori party.
Pretty good going for the new leader of a new party, I reckon.
I was talking to a very interesting chap from Ngai Tahu yesterday, seems not all Maori think the Maori Party 'sold out'.
I'm astonished, Shunda!
I was sure all Maori thought as one, just as all Pakeha do.
So is he a "sell out" too then I guess?
One thing is for sure, he is doing a hell of a lot more for the environment in his neck of the woods (and incidentally yours) than most.
But once again, people like him (and me) can't be considered as legit because we don't "believe".
He can't be a sell out, Shunda, unless he's able to vote on the issue in the House.
If he's supportive of selling the 4 energy assets, he's not got my admiration and he's making a bad mistake in his judgement.
How about you?
Want to see those assets sold, Shunda?
No I don't.
Which is why I loath politics and the division and swings between extremes it brings.
Real change and a truly sustainable society must start from the ground up.
We must do it.
So lets stop this nonsense and focus on our strengths instead of endless ideology driven bickering.
O.K.
How you gonna stop the asset sales then, Shaunda?
I don't know.
It seems as though National is in a pretty commanding position on this and has political capital to burn.
A referendum would send a powerful message, but unfortunately the people proposing that sound like hypocrites of the highest order because of the section 59 referendum that was duly ignored.
That is why Helen Clark did so much damage to raw democracy, and now we have to accept that a precedent has been set.
If you don't know, at least give credit to those who are doing something to try to stop the very foolish actions of the National Government. Hone Harawira is taking action (see post). Grey Power is doing something, assisted by the Labour and Green parties.
You could support their actions through your commenting on the various sites you visit. You could write letters to the editor of your local newspaper (I have!).
As for your objection to the Section 59 referrendum, get over it. This is an entirely new situation. Leave the battered remains of Helen Clark alone, Shunda - you're still trying to wring some sort of payment from her memory for slights you perceive she gave you. There's a new enemy of the people and it's Key and his 'sell it all' crew. You know they are wrong in this. Don't hedge behind the, 'the other side did it too' argument. It's not a game. These things are important. Speak out about what's happening now. Leave the past to molder.
And it did make me laugh when you said this:
"So lets stop this nonsense and focus on our strengths instead of endless ideology driven bickering."
then went on to attack Helen Clark and the Labour Party (unfortunately the people proposing that sound like hypocrites of the highest order because of the section 59 referendum that was duly ignored.) in exactly the manner you described as being "nonsense" and "ideological bickering"
You're a wag!
"political capital to burn"?
I don't think so.
As with all some of our leaders think that they will get a cut of the cake
this one has his head on- tangata whenua have learned the assets sales lesson the hard way
Great statement Hone
Just a pity Hone Key doesn't have the same vision and the same sense or even the same loyalty to his people - or maybe he does it is just that we the 99% aren't among them -instead we get to subsidise their lifestyle through our power bills thanks to him.
Go Hone!
Unfortunately Hone and Greens, liabour et all don't represent the "overwhelming majority of new Zelanders". If that were the case then Natinal would not have the political capital to burn in selling these assets.
Its a long time in politics before the next election. I don't currently see any credible opposition that will take the Gnats position away. It is possible but with Key/Blenglish following so closely the Liabour policy settings there's not much between them. Especially if the asset sales cushion the debt levels and enable a modicum of growth the electorate will be feeling pretty comfortable and apathetic in 2014.
Paranormal
PS: You will note I haven't discussed the right or wroongs of selling assets, but then you know my position on that.
" the asset sales cushion the debt levels and enable a modicum of growth the electorate will be feeling pretty comfortable and apathetic in 2014."
My thoughts exactly. It's a wonder that people tolerate that sort of cynical manipulation.
A modicum of growth through selling baseline stuff - stupid is as stupid does.
darkhorse - you're sounding as though you're in search of a flagpole to cut down!
RG, Some basic economics would go a long way for you.
And calling the electorate stupid is never a good thing when you want to ask for their support...
Paranormal
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