Kiwis want to own their own future

Friday, 3 September 2010, 1:24 pm
Press Release: New Zealand Labour Party

Kiwis want to own their own future

New Zealanders want to ensure they own their own future by keeping hold of strategic assets and prime land, Labour Leader Phil Goff said today.

“That’s why Maurice Williamson’s remarks are way off mark about Kiwis scorning foreign investment,” Phil Goff said.

“This isn't about racism, it’s about owning our own future. It’s about keeping New Zealand in New Zealand hands.

“Kiwis give everyone a fair go, but when it comes to selling off our most productive land, we should keep it in Kiwi hands.

“That's not racist, it’s about owning our future.

“When the Labour Government rejected the foreign buy-up of the Auckland International Airport Limited, it wasn’t about opposing the purchase because the purchasers were Canadian. It was about keeping a strategic asset in Kiwi hands.

“Foreign direct investment is important for growth in the economy, but allowing a buy-up of our land simply pushes up land value and capital gains, without being of productive benefit. That doesn’t make sense for New Zealand.

“This is a cop out from the Government that has no plan to build a stronger economy and they should get in the real world.”

ENDS

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