Is This The Way To Treat Our Best Customer?

Monday, 17 September 2001, 11:35 am
Press Release: Auckland Regional Chamber of Commerce and Industry

No matter what happens next in the unfolding Trans-Tasman air debacle, Governments on both sides of the Tasman must show much greater strategic resolve to protect the good will and multi billion dollar Trans-Tasman trade.

Australia is New Zealand's top market and NZ is a key for Australian manufacturers.

"This is where our exporters look to as a first market, it is an essential part of our tourism strategy. Through CER we are a partnership,” said Michael Barnett, Chief Executive of the Auckland Chamber of Commerce".

Without these markets thousands of businesses and thousands of jobs on both sides of the Tasman would not exist. It could be worse for NZ. Any increase in the threat to getting goods into the Australian market could also encourage more businesses to consider relocation into that market.

As a consequence of decisions so far, the dollars at risk could well exceed the NZ government’s support to Air NZ. It could also have at risk a part of the CER’s more than $10 billion trade partnership.

That risk would not be acceptable to NZ business.

Ends

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