Government Criticised For Not Buying NZ Made

Government Criticised For Not Buying New Zealand Made

The country largest manufacturer of PC’s is calling on the Government to set an example and buy New Zealand made goods, accusing Government departments of giving preference to multinational suppliers.

The PC Company marketing manager Kerry Mancer says while the Government has been holding summits attempting to portray a business friendly face, in his industry, Government departments have been deliberately excluding New Zealand manufacturers from competing for Government tenders.

Mr Mancer’s call for the Government to put its house in order and set a lead for the country follows a call from the Engineers Union for kiwi’s to buy New Zealand made.

Their call is in response to the laying off of 200 workers by white-ware manufacturer Fisher and Paykell which says it has been hit hard by the influx of cheaper Korean imports.

Mr Mancer says in the computer industry his company can more than adequately compete with the multi-nationals on price, quality and service, however Government departments have been putting out tender documents specifying only the supply of multi-national brand name PC’s.

“We are seeing Government contracts which actually name the multi-national brands and this specifically excludes us.

“We have not become the second largest supplier of PC’s to the home and small business market, and fifth largest overall supplier of PC’s in New Zealand by producing an inferior product. Quite the reverse. Any consumer can look in the marketplace and they will see our PC’s as a better buy than the multi-national brands Government departments are supporting,” Mr Mancer says.

He said the Government’s buying policy set up in 1994 sets out that Government departments should consider New Zealand content, but that this was not being followed.

“We employ New Zealanders, pay taxes in this country and reinvest our profits here, whereas the companies backed by the Government departments pay little or no taxes, and have the ability to indulge in transfer pricing and dump their product in New Zealand.

“All we are asking is a fair and equal opportunity to quote for Government contracts.

“We are certainly more competitive, as long as the multi-national companies are not dumping here, and I have not seen a single instance where we have quoted and been more expensive than the international brands.”

Mr Mancer says the Computer Manufacturers Association of New Zealand of which The PC Company is a member, has meet with Commerce Minister Paul Swain on the issue, and although the Minister had written to all head of departments pointing out their responsibility to consider New Zealand content, this did not really represent a strong Government commitment to this country and its manufacturers.

“What we want to see is the Government showing leadership not finding excuses to support foreign interests. We want to see the Government showing by its actions that it is committed to supporting businesses like our own. We don’t want hand-outs but we do want buying support when we produce a superior product,” Mr Mancer says.

For Further Information:

Kerry Mancer
Marketing Manager
The PC Company
09 3734186(w) 09 4839233 (home) or 025 819612
Email: kerry.ak@thepccompany.co,nz
Kerry.mancer@actrix.co.nz (home email)

Or:

Peter Verschaffelt
Pigeonhouse Public Relations and Communications
09 3582116 (w) 021 1168868
Email: peterv@pigeonhouse.co.nz

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