Agenda: Goff - New Zealanders Still Anti-Nuclear

GOFF - NEW ZEALANDERS ARE STILL ANTI-NUCLEAR

Trade Minister Phil Goff believes New Zealander's are still largely anti-nuclear and the nuclear power option is not viable because of our "clean, green, one-hundred-percent pure" image.

This follows renewed debate over nuclear power and Climate Change at APEC and in New Zealand.

On TVOne's "Agenda" Mr Goff said; "I think that if you go out there and you do your polling I think I think you would find that the vast majority of people don't believe that nuclear energy needs realistically to be looked at as an alternative."

He said our "clean, green" brand is too important to compromise.

"I think in terms of new Zealand we have a reputation that we are very proud of and we have a branding. It is a clean green 100% pure New Zealand. Economically I don't think any body has put up a convincing argument that atomic energy in New Zealand makes sense."

However, Mr Goff said New Zealand's stance on nuclear energy would not mean the Government will advise against other countries adopting it.

"We are not telling the rest of the world that they have to stop. We are saying it is not for us and if we are going to go down that track it is not our preferred track. It is sustainable energy, but you need to have those safe guards in place."

He said instead New Zealand will advise caution if there is international proliferation of nuclear energy sources.

"We have genuine concerns that nuclear energy proliferation can also lead to the proliferation of materials that can be used in nuclear weapons. That is not just our concern that is a world wide concern."

"What we are saying however is that the proper safe guards. It's about non-proliferation, about safety, about security, about waste disposal - need to be part of that debate."

BUSINESS AS USUAL DESPITE 'CREDIT CRUNCH'

Kiwibank CEO Sam Knowles believes the international 'credit crunch' will not have a major impact on New Zealand's financial sector.

On TVOne's "Agenda" Mr Knowles said; "I certainly don't see doom and gloom. I think this is an adjustment that occurs in the economies, you have these types of adjustments in many different sectors and this is just one we're having in the financial sector."

Mr Knowles said New Zealand banks are already cautious when lending money and this decreases financial risk.

"I guess the thing about a bank like Kiwibank is we're a relatively conservative lender. we do check people's ability to pay, we check their credit records and if we think there's any chance that they can't pay us back then we don't lend it to them".

Mr Knowles said New Zealand banks and financial companies will continue to lend money as long as people can afford to pay off their loans.

"I think it becomes more difficult, if you're in a credit stress situation or if you've got a poor personal credit rating, but no, certainly banks and finance companies are keen to lend to people who have go the income to service their borrowing".

Mr Knowles said New Zealand has "good" financial companies to invest with.

"I think certainly there are good finance companies, the bigger finance companies with diversified portfolios, the finance companies with credible ratings yeah they're very solid companies".

ENDS

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