Greens offer practical support to NZ producers

Green Media Release

20 July 2007

Buying New Zealand made products and services is a very practical way that we can all support New Zealand producers during this time of high dollar difficulties. That’s what the Green-initiated Buy Kiwi Made media campaign launched today is all about, says Green Party Co-Leader Russel Norman.

“The high dollar is making life difficult for New Zealand producers. One way to support them is to buy products and services that are made here, and the Buy Kiwi Made campaign will encourage people to do just that,” says Dr Norman, also Greens’ Economics Spokesperson.

“While other parties bicker over who is to blame for the high dollar, the Greens get on with the job of trying to make a practical difference via this initiative, which was a key gain for the Green Party in its cooperation agreement with the Government after the last election.

“There are also important issues of environmental sustainability, workers rights and human rights surrounding this campaign. By buying products from New Zealand you know that they were made under reasonable, if imperfect, environmental, labour and human rights standards.

"Kiwi manufacturers struggle to survive against unfair competition from goods produced by foreign workers paid less than the cost of living and made to work in sub-standard or even slave-labour conditions with poor environmental standards.

“The Government’s mindless support for a trade deal with China, and its resolute opposition to mandatory country of origin labelling of food, only makes it harder for New Zealand producers. This initiative is aimed to even up the playing field a little.”

ENDS

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