Buying Kiwi made

Written By: - Date published: 10:39 am, July 14th, 2010 - 24 comments
Categories: Economy - Tags:

John Armstrong reports that Clare Curran is preparing a private members bill that would see more government work going to Kiwi businesses.

I suspect this will have the free-market loonies up in arms despite the fact that procurement policies like this are pretty standard around the world and getting one in place here would be a much better move for building Kiwi businesses, creating jobs and stimulating the economy than giving tax-payer money to multinational prison firms or the joke that is the cycleway.

It is certainly a better idea than Bill English’s plan to drive the economy into the ground chasing a fictional debt monster.

If Curran’s bill is drawn from the ballot she will doubtlessly have the support of the unions that backed the calls for Kiwi Rail to build its rolling stock in NZ (calls the government quickly quashed) but she should also have the support of Business New Zealand and the Employers and Manufacturers Association and other business organisations as they have considerable sway on the Nats and such a policy would be in the interests of their members.

I would imagine she’ll be talking to BNZ and EMA CEOs Alistair Thompson and Phil O’Reilly about this as they would be critical players in making sure this members bill would go through.

I’ll be interested to see how this develops.

24 comments on “Buying Kiwi made ”

  1. Bored 1

    ” procurement policies like this are pretty standard around the world ”

    Well said, I have often wondered why we dont follow the example set by our major trading partners.

    I also suggest that we change the accounting criteria to allow the true transfer costs to be allocated in procurement i.e. if we buy from X what subsidies are they giving their product, what does it cost us because we then have to shut down an industry, etc etc.

    Well done Clare Curran for challenging the sacred shibboleths, a few more in labour ought to do the same and we would have soemething to offer the electorate.

  2. michaeljsavage 2

    Good for Clare – it needs to be remembered by every NZ voter and businessperson – that John “velly lo kee” has indicated that everyone will soon be standing in line behind China and her mega companies and their underpaid zillions of workers. So NZ becomes the “lee Kee shipyard”.

    I almost sense the dead, dangling corpse-like hand of that fossilised zombie “sir” roger douglas as an adviser to Johnny boy on how to completely root a country.

  3. millsy 3

    While you are wasting your energy lobbying for KiwiRail to build EMU’s in workshops that have been run down over the past 20-25 years and are more suited to refurbishing rail vehicles than building them from scratch, KiwiRail, having been leaned on by the government, is about to chop out about about a quarter of our rail network, including the rail link to Northland.

  4. Todd 4

    How about reintroducing tariffs on to all imported goods,then we can start making box TVs again and flog them off to kiwis for a couple of grand each just like the good old days.Same goes for cars, I was always bitterly disapointed that the Treka car/truck was canned it could have put NZ on the world stage for car building expertise.

    • george 4.1

      How about not making an reductio ad absurdum argument? Could you do that? Because I don’t think you could.

      • michaeljsavage 4.1.1

        how about not being a smartass cunnus mentulatum

        quid pro quo and other nasty chinese words …

  5. Todd 5

    Thinking about this im all for it.I see a chance to make a buck here.Simply give the customer (govt) a quote and buy the product (cheap)from overseas (they cant sell it here)plaster a made in Nz tag on it and presto a nice little earner.

  6. Todd 6

    George.
    Lighten up old chap!

  7. Big Bruv 7

    Another idea that did not see the light of day under the Labour government.

  8. Todd 8

    How about not making an reductio ad absurdum argument? Could you do that? Because I don’t think you could.

    My Mother used to tell me to stop being silly.I guess you have a classier way of saying it.

  9. Draco T Bastard 9

    The Kiwirail fiasco shows that the “free-market” is killing us. Is it cheaper to buy rail cars made overseas? Yes, by a small amount. Is it better to make them here? Yes, by a large amount, an amount that would require that the imported cars be only 1/3rd the price being charged to get the same benefit. It’s proof positive that the price alone doesn’t cover enough variables to make an informed and rational decision.

    Time for the total economic impacts to be weighed in purchasing decisions.

  10. michaeljsavage 10

    We had the ability to make our own rollingstock etc – and potentially we still do. The technocrats want us to remain in the limbo we created by destroying our manufacturing and industrial capacity and not look any further than something called “the knowledge economy” and offer “expertise” and other paper/strawmen merchant banker bullshit.

    What a bunch of euphemisms for “bend over and get rooted up the bumhole” you broody dumb roundeyes hahahaha! (you have to imagine accent and Raymond Huo sort of facial expressions (ie im smiling – but ill screw you over when i can whitey) – i see from redalert he is over the moon one of the allwhites is joining a chinese team).

    Has anyone done the maths on the economic benefits of a country actually making things that are real, you know …. sort of tangible …. things that have and add value?? No – not good old immigrant and chinese nationalist overrun godzone … lets buy cheap chinese trailers where the axle breaks and makes the trailer a deadly weapon.

    • prism 10.1

      michaeljs – Rein in your ruder comments about people who look and come from a place different to you. This stuff doesn’t advance discussion and reasoned thought. It’s offensive and spoils your interesting ideas for me.

      • Nick C 10.1.1

        But prism if you think about it this entire bill really is motivated by a form of racist economic nationalism. Jobs have to be done somewhere, the fact that he wants New Zealanders to do the work suggests that we are somehow inherrently more deserving of wealth than a chinese worker, who likely needs it more.

        But even when you ignore the overt racism the comments lack any intelligence. He says that we need a manafacturing sector because it adds value to the economy. Manafacturing only adds value to the economy insofaras people are willing to pay for the manafactured goods (their price reflects their value). If people were willing to pay for goods manafactured in New Zealand then why isnt anybody producing them?

        • loota 10.1.1.1

          Nick C – the answer is simple – overseas producers are often more capable at producing better goods for cheaper. But you are asking the wrong question. The right question is “how can we create goods manufactured in New Zealand that New Zealanders are willing to pay top dollar for”.

          A totally different concept.

          Just like when Toyota was producing cars in the 1950’s which were ridiculously bad and of low quality.

          Their products could not compete against US and UK cars on any count. Performance, fratures, build quality, reliability, etc. It literally was Jap Crap.

          But the Japanese car industry was given every support, every incentive, and a tonne of govt money over decades and decades in order to build their skills and their capabilities.

          And today they own the market. And Lexus is one of the most powerful players in the luxury car market, toe to toe with MB and BMW.

          Do not expose your immature industries prematurely to be destroyed by powerful overseas players before they are ready to compete toe to toe on a global basis.

          • Nick C 10.1.1.1.1

            Loota thats a slightly more intelligent arguement than the crap coming from mjs

            I have one question though. If there is long term profitablility in running an industry at a loss in the short term in order to build it up (as demonstrated by your example from Japan) why cant the private sector run it by absorbing those costs and being rewarded with long term profit?

            The problem I have with government picking winners like that is that more often than not they get it wrong because their decisions are based on political factors not economic ones. The US has tried the exact same thing by subsidising its car industry and look where that got them.

            • felix 10.1.1.1.1.1

              Private enterprise either isn’t capable of or isn’t interested in planning that far ahead on such a scale.

              If they were, they would, but they don’t.

              (edit: obviously I’m generalising but it’s generally true.)

            • michaeljsavage 10.1.1.1.1.2

              Opinion noted Nick C – my only observation would be this …. supposedly reasoned and circumlocutory debate can simply be a meaningless, elegant minuet. Satisfies the soul but doesnt get to the heart of a matter. That type of debate and thinking is exactly (not entirely) part of the reason we’ve ended up with no industrial sector of any note producing real things and employing real people.

              Your points are taken on board … but we have adopted a national mindset that seems to say “we cant compete – we cant do it”. I wasnt only referring to selling goods in NZ – and there are all sorts of other issues that cant be taken up in a comments box – as you have stated.

              Crap my comments may be to you – but i am entitled to my opinion – and sometimes an open mind that looks beyond what makes you initially bristle can be valuable …

  11. Hateatea 11

    There is nothing new in ‘buying Kiwi made’ campaigns. There should even be something still in the Government Departmental guidelines about it. There certainly was in the past when I was a civil servant.

    Free trade agreements probably act against that ever being official government policy again and it would certainly seem to be contra John Key’s recent grovelling trip around Asia.

    I will watch with interest

  12. Hamish Gray 12

    One more time – Australia-New Zealand Government Procurement Agreement – Australian suppliers are treated as local as Kiwi suppliers and vice versa. Australia has far superior rolling stock manufacturing capabilities and would likely win any tender over a Kiwi supplier, as they are, essentially, local suppliers too. So Kiwirail would spend a ton on bidding for a project it cannot win.

Links to post

Recent Comments

Recent Posts

  • EV road user charges bill passes
    Transport Minister Simeon Brown has welcomed the passing of legislation to move light electric vehicles (EVs) and plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs) into the road user charges system from 1 April.  “It was always intended that EVs and PHEVs would be exempt from road user charges until they reached two ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 day ago
  • Bill targets illegal, unregulated fishing in international waters
    New Zealand is strengthening its ability to combat illegal fishing outside its domestic waters and beef up regulation for its own commercial fishers in international waters through a Bill which had its first reading in Parliament today. The Fisheries (International Fishing and Other Matters) Amendment Bill 2023 sets out stronger ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 day ago
  • Reserve Bank appointments
    Economists Carl Hansen and Professor Prasanna Gai have been appointed to the Reserve Bank Monetary Policy Committee, Finance Minister Nicola Willis announced today. The Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) is the independent decision-making body that sets the Official Cash Rate which determines interest rates.  Carl Hansen, the executive director of Capital ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 day ago
  • Stronger protections for apartment owners
    Apartment owners and buyers will soon have greater protections as further changes to the law on unit titles come into effect, Housing Minister Chris Bishop says. “The Unit Titles (Strengthening Body Corporate Governance and Other Matters) Amendment Act had already introduced some changes in December 2022 and May 2023, and ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 day ago
  • Travel focused on traditional partners and Middle East
    Foreign Minister Winston Peters will travel to Egypt and Europe from this weekend.    “This travel will focus on a range of New Zealand’s traditional diplomatic and security partnerships while enabling broad engagement on the urgent situation in Gaza,” Mr Peters says.   Mr Peters will attend the NATO Foreign ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 day ago
  • Keep safe on our roads this Easter
    Transport Minister Simeon Brown is encouraging all road users to stay safe, plan their journeys ahead of time, and be patient with other drivers while travelling around this Easter long weekend. “Road safety is a responsibility we all share, and with increased traffic on our roads expected this Easter we ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 day ago
  • Cost of living support for over 1.4 million Kiwis
    About 1.4 million New Zealanders will receive cost of living relief through increased government assistance from April 1 909,000 pensioners get a boost to Superannuation, including 5000 veterans 371,000 working-age beneficiaries will get higher payments 45,000 students will see an increase in their allowance Over a quarter of New Zealanders ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 days ago
  • Tenancy reviews for social housing restart
    Ensuring social housing is being provided to those with the greatest needs is front of mind as the Government restarts social housing tenancy reviews, Associate Housing Minister Tama Potaka says. “Our relentless focus on building a strong economy is to ensure we can deliver better public services such as social ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 days ago
  • Kermadec Ocean Sanctuary plan halted
    The Kermadec Ocean Sanctuary will not go ahead, with Cabinet deciding to stop work on the proposed reserve and remove the Bill that would have established it from Parliament’s order paper. “The Kermadec Ocean Sanctuary Bill would have created a 620,000 sq km economic no-go zone,” Oceans and Fisheries Minister ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 days ago
  • Cutting all that dam red tape
    Dam safety regulations are being amended so that smaller dams won’t be subject to excessive compliance costs, Minister for Building and Construction Chris Penk says. “The coalition Government is focused on reducing costs and removing unnecessary red tape so we can get the economy back on track.  “Dam safety regulations ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 days ago
  • Drought support extended to parts of North Island
    The coalition Government is expanding the medium-scale adverse event classification to parts of the North Island as dry weather conditions persist, Agriculture Minister Todd McClay announced today. “I have made the decision to expand the medium-scale adverse event classification already in place for parts of the South Island to also cover the ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 days ago
  • Passage of major tax bill welcomed
    The passing of legislation giving effect to coalition Government tax commitments has been welcomed by Finance Minister Nicola Willis.  “The Taxation (Annual Rates for 2023–24, Multinational Tax, and Remedial Matters) Bill will help place New Zealand on a more secure economic footing, improve outcomes for New Zealanders, and make our tax system ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 days ago
  • Lifting economy through science, tertiary sectors
    Science, Innovation and Technology Minister Judith Collins and Tertiary Education and Skills Minister Penny Simmonds today announced plans to transform our science and university sectors to boost the economy. Two advisory groups, chaired by Professor Sir Peter Gluckman, will advise the Government on how these sectors can play a greater ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 days ago
  • Government announces Budget priorities
    The Budget will deliver urgently-needed tax relief to hard-working New Zealanders while putting the government’s finances back on a sustainable track, Finance Minister Nicola Willis says.  The Finance Minister made the comments at the release of the Budget Policy Statement setting out the Government’s Budget objectives. “The coalition Government intends ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 days ago
  • Government to consider accommodation solution
    The coalition Government will look at options to address a zoning issue that limits how much financial support Queenstown residents can get for accommodation. Cabinet has agreed on a response to the Petitions Committee, which had recommended the geographic information MSD uses to determine how much accommodation supplement can be ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago
  • Government approves extension to Royal Commission of Inquiry into Abuse in Care
    Cabinet has agreed to a short extension to the final reporting timeframe for the Royal Commission into Abuse in Care from 28 March 2024 to 26 June 2024, Internal Affairs Minister Brooke van Velden says.                                         “The Royal Commission wrote to me on 16 February 2024, requesting that I consider an ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago
  • $18m boost for Kiwis travelling to health treatment
    The coalition Government is delivering an $18 million boost to New Zealanders needing to travel for specialist health treatment, Health Minister Dr Shane Reti says.   “These changes are long overdue – the National Travel Assistance (NTA) scheme saw its last increase to mileage and accommodation rates way back in 2009.  ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago
  • PM’s Prizes for Space to showcase sector’s talent
    The Government is recognising the innovative and rising talent in New Zealand’s growing space sector, with the Prime Minister and Space Minister Judith Collins announcing the new Prime Minister’s Prizes for Space today. “New Zealand has a growing reputation as a high-value partner for space missions and research. I am ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago
  • Concerns conveyed to China over cyber activity
    Foreign Minister Winston Peters has confirmed New Zealand’s concerns about cyber activity have been conveyed directly to the Chinese Government.     “The Prime Minister and Minister Collins have expressed concerns today about malicious cyber activity, attributed to groups sponsored by the Chinese Government, targeting democratic institutions in both New ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago
  • Independent Reviewers appointed for School Property Inquiry
    Independent Reviewers appointed for School Property Inquiry Education Minister Erica Stanford today announced the appointment of three independent reviewers to lead the Ministerial Inquiry into the Ministry of Education’s School Property Function.  The Inquiry will be led by former Minister of Foreign Affairs Murray McCully. “There is a clear need ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago
  • Brynderwyns open for Easter
    State Highway 1 across the Brynderwyns will be open for Easter weekend, with work currently underway to ensure the resilience of this critical route being paused for Easter Weekend to allow holiday makers to travel north, Transport Minister Simeon Brown says. “Today I visited the Brynderwyn Hills construction site, where ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago
  • Speech to the Infrastructure Funding & Financing Conference
    Introduction Good morning to you all, and thanks for having me bright and early today. I am absolutely delighted to be the Minister for Infrastructure alongside the Minister of Housing and Resource Management Reform. I know the Prime Minister sees the three roles as closely connected and he wants me ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago
  • Parliamentary network breached by the PRC
    New Zealand stands with the United Kingdom in its condemnation of People’s Republic of China (PRC) state-backed malicious cyber activity impacting its Electoral Commission and targeting Members of the UK Parliament. “The use of cyber-enabled espionage operations to interfere with democratic institutions and processes anywhere is unacceptable,” Minister Responsible for ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago
  • NZ to provide support for Solomon Islands election
    Foreign Minister Winston Peters and Defence Minister Judith Collins today announced New Zealand will provide logistics support for the upcoming Solomon Islands election. “We’re sending a team of New Zealand Defence Force personnel and two NH90 helicopters to provide logistics support for the election on 17 April, at the request ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago
  • NZ-EU FTA gains Royal Assent for 1 May entry to force
    The European Union Free Trade Agreement Legislation Amendment Bill received Royal Assent today, completing the process for New Zealand’s ratification of its free trade agreement with the European Union.    “I am pleased to announce that today, in a small ceremony at the Beehive, New Zealand notified the European Union ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago
  • COVID-19 inquiry attracts 11,000 submissions
    Public consultation on the terms of reference for the Royal Commission into COVID-19 Lessons has concluded, Internal Affairs Minister Hon Brooke van Velden says.  “I have been advised that there were over 11,000 submissions made through the Royal Commission’s online consultation portal.” Expanding the scope of the Royal Commission of ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago
  • Families to receive up to $75 a week help with ECE fees
    Hardworking families are set to benefit from a new credit to help them meet their early childcare education (ECE) costs, Finance Minister Nicola Willis says. From 1 July, parents and caregivers of young children will be supported to manage the rising cost of living with a partial reimbursement of their ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago
  • Unlocking a sustainable, low-emissions future
    A specialised Independent Technical Advisory Group (ITAG) tasked with preparing and publishing independent non-binding advice on the design of a "green" (sustainable finance) taxonomy rulebook is being established, Climate Change Minister Simon Watts says.  “Comprising experts and market participants, the ITAG's primary goal is to deliver comprehensive recommendations to the ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago
  • Chief of Army thanked for his service
    Defence Minister Judith Collins has thanked the Chief of Army, Major General John Boswell, DSD, for his service as he leaves the Army after 40 years. “I would like to thank Major General Boswell for his contribution to the Army and the wider New Zealand Defence Force, undertaking many different ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago
  • Minister to meet Australian counterparts and Manufacturing Industry Leaders
    25 March 2024 Minister to meet Australian counterparts and Manufacturing Industry Leaders Small Business, Manufacturing, Commerce and Consumer Affairs Minister Andrew Bayly will travel to Australia for a series of bi-lateral meetings and manufacturing visits. During the visit, Minister Bayly will meet with his Australian counterparts, Senator Tim Ayres, Ed ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago
  • Government commits nearly $3 million for period products in schools
    Government commits almost $3 million for period products in schools The Coalition Government has committed $2.9 million to ensure intermediate and secondary schools continue providing period products to those who need them, Minister of Education Erica Stanford announced today. “This is an issue of dignity and ensuring young women don’t ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    6 days ago
  • Speech – Making it easier to build.
    Good morning, it’s great to be here.   First, I would like to acknowledge the New Zealand Institute of Building Surveyors and thank you for the opportunity to be here this morning.  I would like to use this opportunity to outline the Government’s ambitious plan and what we hope to ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    7 days ago
  • Pacific youth to shine from boost to Polyfest
    Minister for Pacific Peoples Dr Shane Reti has announced the Government’s commitment to the Auckland Secondary Schools Māori and Pacific Islands Cultural Festival, more commonly known as Polyfest. “The Ministry for Pacific Peoples is a longtime supporter of Polyfest and, as it celebrates 49 years in 2024, I’m proud to ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago
  • 2024 Ngarimu VC and 28th (Māori) Battalion Memorial Scholarships announced
    ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago
  • Speech to Breast Cancer Foundation – Insights Conference
    Before moving onto the substance of today’s address, I want to recognise the very significant and ongoing contribution the Breast Cancer Foundation makes to support the lives of New Zealand women and their families living with breast cancer. I very much enjoy working with you. I also want to recognise ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago
  • Kiwi research soars to International Space Station
    New Zealand has notched up a first with the launch of University of Canterbury research to the International Space Station, Science, Innovation and Technology and Space Minister Judith Collins says. The hardware, developed by Dr Sarah Kessans, is designed to operate autonomously in orbit, allowing scientists on Earth to study ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago
  • Speech to the New Zealand Planning Institute
    Introduction Thank you for inviting me to speak with you today and I’m sorry I can’t be there in person. Yesterday I started in Wellington for Breakfast TV, spoke to a property conference in Auckland, and finished the day speaking to local government in Christchurch, so it would have been ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago
  • Support for Northland emergency response centre
    The Coalition Government is contributing more than $1 million to support the establishment of an emergency multi-agency coordination centre in Northland. Emergency Management and Recovery Minister Mark Mitchell announced the contribution today during a visit of the Whangārei site where the facility will be constructed.  “Northland has faced a number ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago
  • Celebrating 20 years of Whakaata Māori
    New Zealanders have enjoyed a broader range of voices telling the story of Aotearoa thanks to the creation of Whakaata Māori 20 years ago, says Māori Development Minister Tama Potaka. The minister spoke at a celebration marking the national indigenous media organisation’s 20th anniversary at their studio in Auckland on ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago
  • Some commercial fishery catch limits increased
    Commercial catch limits for some fisheries have been increased following a review showing stocks are healthy and abundant, Ocean and Fisheries Minister Shane Jones says. The changes, along with some other catch limit changes and management settings, begin coming into effect from 1 April 2024. "Regular biannual reviews of fish ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago

Page generated in The Standard by Wordpress at 2024-03-29T09:30:46+00:00