Govt forced Kiwibank move

The National Government’s failure to invest in Kiwibank has today forced Kiwibank’s owner New Zealand Post to take a step down the road to privatisation of the bank, the Green Party said.

“If National had injected capital into Kiwibank, to allow Kiwibank to expand like it should have years ago, we wouldn’t be looking at a possible future privatisation,” Green Party Co-leader James Shaw said.

“Bill English says he’ll buy the Kiwibank shares back if he has to in five years, but he won’t be Finance Minister then, so any promises he makes today are hollow.

“The fact is the Government forced Kiwibank’s hand and today’s announcement will make it easier than it was before to move Kiwibank into private ownership.

“In Government, the Green Party will ensure that Kiwibank remains in public ownership and will buy the shares back if ACC or the Super Fund wants to sell them.

“If Kiwibank ends up in private hands in the future, today’s announcement will be the start of that,” Mr Shaw said.

Latest Finance Announcements

Story

Cold climate cuts for Christmas

Once again, the National Party has shown a breathtaking willingness to say one thing during an election campaign and then do the exact opposite whe...
Read More

Story

State of books makes clear case for wealth tax

The case for a wealth tax has never been stronger.
Read More

Story

Crumbs from the property speculator’s table

High-income property speculators will be the biggest winners from a National Party tax plan that will send house prices and rents through the roof,...
Read More

Story

Labour needs to reconsider wealth tax

The announcement today that the Government has decided to cut funding to public services shows exactly why they need to tax wealth and big corporat...
Read More

Story

Change the tax system to support struggling households

While inflation is no longer increasing, the current rate will still bring little comfort to families struggling to make ends meet, says the Green ...
Read More

Story

Fair tax changes never more urgent

Labour is sending a clear message to New Zealanders that the Green Party is the only way we will get progressive change.  
Read More