Iwi consultation for partial SOE share floats
Hon Bill English
Minister of
Finance
Hon Tony
Ryall
Minister for State Owned
Enterprises
27 January 2012 Media
Statement
Iwi consultation for partial
SOE share floats
The
Government has announced a series of hui to consult with
Maori on legislative changes it considers are necessary for
the float of minority shareholdings in four State Owned
Enterprises to New Zealanders.
Finance Minister Bill English and State Owned Enterprises Minister Tony Ryall will lead the February consultation process with iwi around the country, which will be facilitated by Sir Wira Gardiner.
The Government is also seeking written submissions through a consultation document on its proposal to remove Genesis Energy, Meridian Energy, Mighty River Power and Solid Energy from the SOE Act and put them under new legislation that ensures the Government retains at least 51 per cent ownership and other individual shareholdings are limited to 10 per cent, Mr English said.
"We promised to talk with iwi when we originally announced plans to partially sell the four energy companies and Air New Zealand last year,” Mr English said. “We want to understand Maori views before we take final decisions.”
Mr Ryall said the consultation will not cover specific investment opportunities, but iwi investment on a commercial basis will be welcomed.
"The Government has promised all New Zealand investors they will be at the front of the queue for shares."
Mr English said the five partial share floats will free up billions of dollars for investment in schools, hospitals and public infrastructure – and help ensure New Zealand avoids the kind of debt crisis faced by Europe.
The consultation document, together with information on how to make written submissions, will be available from 1 February 2012 at: www.treasury.govt.nz/mixed-ownership-consultation
The deadline for receipt of submissions is 5pm on 22 February 2012.
The schedule for hui is:
8
February 10.00am Distinction Rotorua Rotorua
8
February 3.00pm Waikato Stadium Hamilton
9
February 3.00pm Whanganui Racecourse Whanganui
10
February 9.30am Toll Stadium Whangarei
10
February 3.30pm Novotel Auckland Airport Auckland
14
February 10.00am Waihopai Runaka Murihiku
Marae Invercargill
14 February 4.00pm Chateau on the
Park Christchurch
15 February 10.00am Emerald
Hotel Gisborne
15 February 3.30pm Te Puni
Kokiri Wellington