Katherine Rich MP
National Party Economic Development Spokeswoman
1 November 2006

NZ Inc: No analysis, no consultation

Answers by Trevor Mallard to parliamentary questions indicate he’s done no consultation and no analysis on his New Zealand Inc campaign, says National Party Economic Development spokeswoman Katherine Rich.

“What’s more, it seems he’s kept the spokesperson on Buy Kiwi Made in the dark even as he blurted out his plan on radio last month for a second marketing drive for Kiwi firms that produce offshore.

“Asked a series of simple questions about what work he’s done to underpin his grandiose idea to spend up to $11 million promoting goods made offshore, Trevor Mallard was unable to provide straight answers.

“He can’t point to any analysis or consultation because there isn’t any. He’s making up the details of his NZ Inc campaign as he goes along.

“If he’d done even one iota of consultation or analysis he’d be gloating about it in his answers. If he’d talked to Sue Bradford before he blurted out the idea he’d have noted the date.

“The disturbing reality is that he has committed millions of taxpayer dollars for a promotion campaign on a whim to keep critics of the Buy Kiwi Made programme happy.

“National considers that having a second programme – on top of the $11 million Buy Kiwi Made campaign – is simply a waste of money.

“When he can’t even answer the simple question of when he first told the Greens of his NZ Inc campaign he demonstrates yet again why he doesn’t deserve to be New Zealand’s next Finance Minister.”

ENDS

Attached: Answers to Parliamentary questions 14446 and 14452

Subject: 14452 (2006) Published - Economic Development - Normal Reply

Question: When was the Government Spokesperson for Buy Kiwi Made informed of his decision to announce a New Zealand Inc campaign to run in parallel to the Buy Kiwi Made campaign?
Portfolio: Economic Development
Minister: Hon Trevor Mallard
Date Lodged:13/10/2006
Answer Text: After we discussed it.

Attachment: None
Date Received:31/10/2006

Subject: 14446 (2006) Published - Economic Development - Normal Reply

Question: What analysis, if any, has been done to show that the New Zealand Inc campaign will not create confusion with the simultaneous Buy Kiwi Made campaign?
Portfolio: Economic Development
Minister: Hon Trevor Mallard
Date Lodged:13/10/2006
Answer Text: Both campaigns celebrate and promote New Zealand innovation, entrepreneurship and business success. No decisions have been made on the scope or structure of the two media campaigns but a critical consideration will be that they are well integrated and complementary.

Attachment: None
Date Received:31/10/2006

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