Can you afford to buy shares?

Written By: - Date published: 9:27 am, July 5th, 2012 - 106 comments
Categories: privatisation, wages - Tags:

The median household has $1700 in the bank – you couldn’t really term that savings, it’s operating cash. The Nats want us to fork out at least a grand a time to participate in each share float. That just doesn’t add up.

Labour and the Greens are right, this isn’t an opportunity for ordinary people to invest, it’s a wealth transfer to the elite.

As Russel Norman pointed out last week, Treasury expects only 7% of kiwis to buy shares – also known as the elite.

Now, Bill English’s line is that people might not have much in the bank but asset sales give them somewhere better to put their money than in the bank or paying off the mortgage.

Two problems with that: $1700 isn’t savings, it’s the money families need to meet expenses week to week, and with the government planning dividends of 4% on the assets, which is a 3% net return for ‘mum and dad’ -they’re better off using the money to pay down their 5-7% mortgage.

106 comments on “Can you afford to buy shares? ”

  1. higherstandard 1

    Yes

    • Deano 1.1

      That’s 1.

      1 rich rightie.

      What about the other 4 million of us?

      • Make that 2 (I am neither one of the elite nor a rightie)

        • Deano 1.1.1.1

          Do you have no interest-bearing debt and no opportunity to invest at greater than 4% (ie a term deposit)?

          Or are you expecting significant equity gain – which means you expect the government to underprice the shares (given that share price is meant to be the present value of future dividends)

        • McFlock 1.1.1.2

          You have disposable cash for shares. You’re one of the elite.
          You think having disposable cash for shares is not an elite position in this economy. You’re a rightie.

           

          • TheContrarian 1.1.1.2.1

            “You have disposable cash for shares. You’re one of the elite.”

            Bullshit, my disposable income came from not having a mortgage’s and not creating debt for myself.
            That doesn’t make me elite, that makes a guy without a house but without any debt. 

            • McFlock 1.1.1.2.1.1

              And I’m sure your income’s $15k p.a. /sarc

              • I can only afford shares because I am married with no children, no mortgage and 2 incomes.

                Otherwise I wouldn’t be able to buy them (or at least that’s not what I’d be spending any spare cash on) 

                • McFlock

                  So you support only yourself with an income that others use to support 2 or more people.
                  And you don’t consider your position at all privileged. 

                  • I am a young man who works with a young wife who works and we have no debt because we don’t own anything.

                    I don’t consider that elite.

                    • McFlock

                      I know you don’t.
                      The trouble is that you think that as long as you make all the right choices, nothing bad will ever happen to you.
                      News flash: shit happens.
                           
                      The fact you live comfortably is largely a matter of luck. 

                    • “The trouble is that you think that as long as you make all the right choices, nothing bad will ever happen to you.”

                      No, I don’t. Thanks for trying to tell me what I think though.

                      “The fact you live comfortably is largely a matter of luck. ”

                      No, it isn’t. You have no idea who I am, how I got here, what I had to do, what I used to do and the actions I had to take. 

                    • McFlock

                      If you aren’t master of your own destiny (i.e. only your choices determine whether you live comfortably), then it largely is down to luck.
                           
                      One or the other.
                         
                                   
                      I’m not saying you never worked for it.
                      I’m just saying that you could have worked twice as hard and still been in a bad way – defrauded, illness, accident, never met the contact that got you a good job or contract, whatever. Or you could have worked half as hard, gambled, and won lotto. It’s mostly luck that puts us where we are. You’ve never had a moment where a car could’ve been an inch to the left, or you’ve been in the same class as someone who became a good friend, mentor, partner or spouse? It’s all been determined by you? Or are many of the key moments in your life pure luck?

                    • Your level of meta-discussion is completely unhelpful.
                      Why don’t you go one step further and say “if that gene hadn’t have mutated we would have never evolved in the first place”

                       

                    • McFlock

                      Not really.
                           
                      You have excess wealth you can can gamble on the stockmarket. Many don’t (as pointed out in the actual post). Hence your situation is privileged.
                            
                      You might not consider that elite.
                      But in this country, in this economy, it is.
                           
                      You took credit for your privileged position by saying you’d avoided debt, etc. A lot of that is down to luck, not you. Call it “meta-discussion” if you want, but you’re claiming credit for something that is largely down to luck.
                             
                         
                      The fact you are so out of touch with the real world while claiming credit for your good fortune makes you a rightie. 

                    • Indeed, I was very lucky not to have accidently bought a house or somehow, out of bad luck, took out a lot hire purchase agreements on products I didn’t need.

                      higherstandard was right…bizarre.

                    • McFlock
                       
                       

                      You are lucky that your role models taught you financial skills.
                      You are lucky that you found a good job.
                      You are lucky that you made few if any long-term mistakes as a teen.
                      You are lucky that your decision to not own your own home worked out for you – others have had a succession of rent increases and 40-day vacancy notices as a result of property speculation.
                      You are lucky that some seemingly minor decision you made in the past 30 years didn’t blow up in your face.
                                    
                      I am lucky to have these things as well.
                      I recognise the degree of pure chance that goes into them, though. Some things literally did blow up in my face, so I’m very aware of the unpredictable millimetre left or right that can fundamentally change the course of our lives.

                       
                    • Sorry I got to this late:

                      You are lucky that your role models taught you financial skills 
                      Had no such role model

                      You are lucky that you found a good job. 
                      Not lucky at all – had to go through years of shit jobs (spent 2 years working two jobs – an 8am – 5pm followed by a 5:15pm to  8:30pm) to get here. Luck had nothing to do with it.

                      You are lucky that you made few if any long-term mistakes as a teen.
                      I don’t how you figure to know me so well. I made huge mistakes. Even as an adult I have made big fuck-ups. If anything I have been unlucky.

                      You are lucky that your decision to not own your own home worked out for you – others have had a succession of rent increases and 40-day vacancy notices as a result of property speculation. 
                      This I can agree with – my living situation is pretty good in comparison. 

                      You are lucky that some seemingly minor decision you made in the past 30 years didn’t blow up in your face. 
                      Heh, you have no fucking idea.

                      Thanks for your bullshit analysis.

                       

                    • McFlock

                       

                       I made huge mistakes. Even as an adult I have made big fuck-ups. If anything I have been unlucky.

                      Says it all right there. You’re one of the very few NZers who have spare cash to play with on the stockmarket, and you still think you’ve been unlucky.

                      But I love that you used to work very hard. After all, it’s not like, say, other people are working just as hard as you once did and still don’t anything approaching you have, and probably never will.
                          
                      Why? Because you’re in the 7% of the population who have money available to buy what they already own. But you think you’ve been unlucky. 
                         
                      Get some perspective. 
                       

                    • You’re one of the very few NZers who have spare cash to play with on the stockmarket

                      Round in fucking circles. We have been over this. I only have spare cash because I have no debt. You say I have no debt because of luck, I explain I have no debt because I have no children or home, you say that is mainly because of luck, I say I have had some damned terrible luck so it isn’t down to luck, you come back with “see because you have spare cash you are lucky”.
                      Jesus fucking Christ… 

                       No where did I say I  used to work hard. I work fucking hard.

                      You analysis is complete fucking garbage.

                    • McFlock

                      Real simple:
                      How much of your current position is due to good luck?
                      How much is due to bad luck?
                      How uch of it is due to you being master of your own destiny, making the right choices, and not getting into debt / procreating?
                       
                      For me it would probably be 60:1:39. You?

                    • I never considered it.

                      But lets make it simpler and more to the actual point here:

                      Can I afford to buy shares?
                      Yes. However if I had already bought a house, hadn’t worked 2 jobs to pay for my student loans and my wife was home with child could I afford to buy shares then?
                      No.

                      Is my not buying a house, working 2 jobs to work my way out of debt and to practice safe sex (and to decide on an abortion many years ago, when I was with someone else in my youth) down to luck or my own decision making?

                      But this is pointless because I am visiting an issue last visited 2 days ago in response to a person who thinks he knows all about my life despite knowing nothing more the I have deigned to share and won’t listen anyway.

                    • McFlock
                       
                       

                      The only cause you attribute for your disposable cash is the brilliance of your financial planning.
                           
                      You “have never considered” the role luck has played in your life.
                           
                      There are many people in this country who do not have kids, not not own their own home, yet still do not have enough money to speculate on the stockmarket.
                          
                      And yet you still claim to be neither privileged nor right-wing.
                          
                      Says it all.
                       
                      PS: sorry I wasn’t waiting with bated breath for the next utterance from a master of the universe. The real world got in the way – not a problem that tories can identify with, I understand…

                       
                    • Wow, you sound like a a snide sneering punk who is unhappy that someone has it better than others so therefore he must be right-wing or privileged in some way.

                      What a cock. You can go fuck yourself.

                    • McFlock

                      Having it better than others is a privilege if it is the result of chance, not merit.
                          
                      And yeah, I am unhappy that you can fritter money on the stockmarket when children go hungry in the same country, if not the same neighbourhood. Inequality sucks, but more importantly is a threat to the stability of any society.
                          
                      But it’s not your privilege that makes you right wing. It’s the fact that you don’t even have the self-awareness to examine just why you have such a privileged situation.
                           

                    • “Having it better than others is a privilege if it is the result of chance, not merit.”
                      You know nothing about me and are certainly in no place to judge.

                      So yeah, go fuck yourself. You are far nastier and jealous than I could ever be. So ass backwards as fuck you can’t even begin to see how appalling it is to judge people, and label them, based upon a personal grievance or difference of opinion you have with them on a blog.

                      I have my scars and regrets so I don’t need to take shit from some scum sucking parasite upset that someone else has done better than him….and isn’t ashamed of the fact.

                    • McFlock

                      You don’t even know how much of your privilege is the result of luck. You said yourself you’ve never thought about it.
                          
                      And I’m not so sure we’re in that different an income bracket -better than many, less expenses than most.
                          
                      And complaining about being “judged” is rich coming from you. But that’s only the opinion of a “parasite”. Got any reason for giving me that apellation, oh great one?
                       

                  • Er, not having children isn’t a privilege.

        • Fortran 1.1.1.3

          Make that three.
          Am rationing my funds to get a share in all of them.

      • higherstandard 1.1.2

        1. What’s rich ?
        2. What’s a rightie ?

      • higherstandard 1.1.3

        What’s rich ?
        What’s a rightie ?

        • McFlock 1.1.3.1

          Having spare money to gamble on the stockmarket.
          People who think having spare money to gamble on the stockmarket is a normal situation in this economy.

          • higherstandard 1.1.3.1.1

            So rich is having spare money to gamble on the stockmarket ?
            So a “rightie” is having spare money to gamble on the stockmarket ?

            …….bizarre….. lots of people probably drop significantly more on sky, ciggies, booze and the lotto than it’ll cost for some shares.

            • McFlock 1.1.3.1.1.1

              Yes.
              No. Read it again.
               

              • higherstandard

                As I said bizarre.

                • McFlock

                  Two questions.
                  Two answers.
                  You misunderstood the second.

                  • higherstandard

                    I understood both ..as I said bizarre.

                    Although I see my original query was directed at another poster who in response to my answer of eddies question chose to classify me as a ‘rich rightie’ so I’m more interested in what they consider to be “rich” and/or “right”

                    • It would seem not agreeing with McFlock = rightie

                    • higherstandard

                      Don’t worry it’s all part of the quick afternoon troll with my tea and helps to keep our respective points up as part of membership requirements of the grumpy old mens trolling club…. McF and I are long time members.

                    • McFlock

                      People who think having spare money to gamble on the stockmarket is a normal situation in this economy.

                      =/=

                       So a “rightie” is having spare money to gamble on the stockmarket ?

                       Hint: try to identify the subject of the first sentence.

                    • McFlock

                      Oh, and C –  no.
                          
                      It’s not recognising your privilege that makes you a rightie.
                      Disagreeing with me is just an expression of your denial. 

  2. freedom 2

    short answer, NO,
    my $220 power bill from last month takes priority at this juncture, and i am a single person low income household, how families are managing to pay every month is beyond me.

    on a related matter,
    Today i received my reply from the Office of the Governor General and there will be no Refusal of Assent for the MOM Bill. They were very polite about it and it was always a billion to one shot, but as my Mumma says, If you don’t ask you never get.

    On another related matter the official Referendum Petition is by all accounts going strong and the Avaaz petition, thanks to a lot of effort from many people has thankfully slowed to a crawl. There has been zero communication from Avaaz re the petition’s rewording after signatures were collected and still no sign of the promised presentation of the petition to the PM.
    (I have also had numerous people suggest that it was indeed started by him that will not be named but sadly no hard evidence, guess we wait for the presentation to the PM . . . tick tock tick tock)

  3. Carol 3

    Just heard Tim Bennett, CEO of NZX, on Nine-to-Noon, initially talking about the gender balance and the need for diversity in business.

    Then Ryan asked him about who would be able to buy shares in the power companies. He trotted off a load of figures, saying it would extend share ownership to more people – but still only in the low hundreds of thousands. He was up beat about this, in terms of many people having more opportunities to invest in.

    I would apply the line from the UK correspondent that followed him, Dame Ann Leslie.

    http://www.radionz.co.nz/national/programmes/ninetonoon/20120705

    Leslie was morally outraged by the attitude of UK bankers like Diamond and cronies. She asked, “What parallel universe do they live in?” – these people who live in extreme comfort shielded from the realities of life that most people experience (like shopping at the supermarket themselves, rather than employing a “shopper” to do it for them.)

    Bennett seemed to be oblivious to the fact that the minority would benefit from being able to buy shares, while the majority would be still continuing to struggle to pay the increasingly costly bills needed for survival.

    National MPs keep talking about “Planet Labour” as though they are more in touch with the ‘real world”. But that’s National’s and cronies Orwellian version of the world – parallel universe indeed!

  4. Janice 5

    If I find $1,000 to invest in shares what would the brokerage fee be? Would there be an annual fee to the finance adviser? Not much left of the $700 balance I bet.

    • Typical rates for New Zealand trades:
      0.3% with a minimum of NZ$30.00 per trade
      0.7% with a minimum of NZ$35.00 per trade

      You don’t need to pay an annual fee to anyone. If you pay up front for financial advice they should tell you to buy some shares and hold them for a medium term at least, as a dividend earner.

      • Deano 5.1.1

        So, mum and dad take half the money they have in the world – $1,000 – and buy shares. But they’ve got to pay $35 on top of that in fees (or the government, ie everyone else, pays that instead).

        And, then, when little Johnie needs school equipment and they need to get their cash out of the shares, that’s another $35.

        $70 – or 7%, gone in fees. That’s over 2 years net dividends gone just there.

        • Colonial Viper 5.1.1.1

          Thats what these people in the financial industry do. Investors gain, they gain. Investors lose, they gain.

          See the assymetry?

    • felix 5.2

      Especially when you consider that you’ve already paid tax on that (net) $1700 to fund infrastructure such as the electricity network.

  5. TightyRighty 6

    Yes, I’ve worked hard for this country. I deserve a chance to own a bit more of it outright, seeing as the other 3m generally have transfers in their favour, thanks to the largess of labour governments happy to spend my cash on shit that produces nothing.

    • Deano 6.1

      there aren’t 3m people getting net transfers from the government. we’re not all parasites on your Randian superhero back.

      also, do you have no interest-bearing debt and no opportunity to invest at greater than 4% (ie a term deposit)?

      Or are you expecting significant equity gain from the shares – which means you expect the government to underprice the shares (given that share price is meant to be the present value of future dividends)

    • Colonial Viper 6.2

      Its not your money.

      And if you benefit the most from the running of a civilised society and ordered economy, don’t bitch about paying the most back.

      • TightyRighty 6.2.1

        It is my money CV, it’s the way things work. not the way you wish they would.

        I benefit because I make good choices and work hard. Others benefit by not working and making stupid choices. Who should come out on top given the two options?

        • McFlock 6.2.1.1

          Really? You can make all the good choices you want – whether any money is in the bank at the end of the day is down purely to luck. 
                   
          But keep telling yourself you’re a randian superhero, master of the universe.

        • prism 6.2.1.2

          If you were a competitive rower and fell in the water just near the finishing post you would have worked hard and done your best and still miss out on your medal, you would be a loser and have to join the community of human beings who try hard all the time, or sometimes, and sometimes win but not all the time.. You sound smug. Which book, teacher or was it a parent who, told you gathering money is all about hard work and successful choices?

    • Pascal's bookie 6.3

      Oh poor Trighty.

      Seeing it’s the US’s birthday here’s a wee quote from one of their founding fathers, damnably communist though it may be, its like he is speaking quite directly to your alleged woe:

      All the property that is necessary to a Man, for the Conservation of the Individual and the Propagation of the Species, is his natural Right, which none can justly deprive him of: But all Property superfluous to such purposes is the Property of the Publick, who, by their Laws, have created it, and who may therefore by other laws dispose of it, whenever the Welfare of the Publick shall demand such Disposition. He that does not like civil Society on these Terms, let him retire and live among Savages. He can have no right to the benefits of Society, who will not pay his Club towards the Support of it.- Ben Franklin

    • felix 6.4

      I like it when the righties just come out and say what they really think for a change.

      Good on you UptightyWhitey. You deserve more because you’re better than most.

    • mike e 6.5

      Tighty almighty yes taking the assets off the other 3 million.Great

  6. Carol 7

    Yes, I can, but I won’t. I have money in term deposits for my old age. Don’t approve of the privatisation and would rather keep my savings in relatively low interest places.

  7. Blue 8

    I’ll buy some, from my median income. Its a good investment isn’t it?

    • felix 8.1

      Long term, yep most likely. Not so good if you’ve got a mortgage to pay though.

      Which tells you what they really mean by “Mums & Dads”, innit.

    • Dv 8.2

      >>Its a good investment isn’t it?
      Maybe. You will need to see the price and prospectus.

      Contact has given a 4% per year return from 1999, including ‘growth’ in share price and dividend.

  8. just saying 9

    I’m guessing that commenters here and at other political blogs would be more likely than the population at large, to be able to afford to buy shares. (There was a study a few years ago about the demographics of the political blogosphere, might be a bit different now but I suspect not).

    I’m hoping that members of the political left that can, wont. On principle.

    • Te Reo Putake 9.1

      That’s the category I fall into, just saying. I can blow my holiday savings on buying a proportion of the shares I have had taken from me in some sort of arsebackwards ransom demand or I can go down south and wander the rivers, beaches and golf courses of the west coast and actively help the local economy while enjoying myself immensely.
       
      On principle, I’m going to put Hokitika ahead of legitimising this intergenerational theft.

      • just saying 9.1.1

        West Coast. I love the West Coast! Great choice.
        Much better for your health too, including your ethical health.

  9. Blue 10

    JS – surely the more shares the middle income left buy, the less will go elsewhere.

    • felix 10.1

      Why should the “political left” shoulder the cost of others speculating for their own gain?

      Fuck off, you want to take our assets you pay for them. Well just take them back later.

      • How are they your assets? have you been issued with a deed of ownership?

        • Deano 10.1.1.1

          That’s like saying ‘how is it your government’ or ‘how is it your country’.

          English was on RNZ just this morning saying that Kiwis own the shares through the government.

      • joe90 10.1.2

        How are they your assets? have you been issued with a deed of ownership?

        As PB notes, because it’s Americas birthday.

        Government is instituted for the common good; for the protection, safety, prosperity, and happiness of the people; and not for the profit, honor, or private interest of any one man, family, or class of men; therefore, the people alone have an incontestable, unalienable, and indefeasible right to institute government; and to reform, alter, or totally change the same, when their protection, safety, prosperity, and happiness require it.”

        John Adams; Thoughts on Government, 1776

        • Monique Watson 10.1.2.1

          Governments exist to preserve property rights for the individual or conglomerate. Otherwise they are called dictatorships.
          john Adams was talking about the mandate to preserve the rights of common man to advance his own happiness and prosperity via business ownership in whatever shape or form that took rather than have a privileged group of people do so supposedly on the behalf of the people.
          Like say, China, Nth Korea or Cuba.
          An SOE is a business built up by the government; the government of the day being democratically elected has a right to preserve or dispose of it as it wishes.
          Have you been to the U.S.A for an extended period, and do you actually know anything about the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution or the cultural mores implicit? If not I would suggest it is impossible to apply one nation’s founding principles to another. Especially since New Zealand hasn’t actually declared independence from Englund. Unlike America. I’ll be blogging about this.

          • Pascal's bookie 10.1.2.1.1

            I reckon if he meant that, he would’ve said that.

            But he didn’t, he said something quite different.

          • Pascal's bookie 10.1.2.1.2

            Wow. Just read your ‘Yay or Nay’ post.

            This is quite possibly the most wrong headed thing I’ve read about the Teaty of Waitangi. Including the stuff written by the ‘Celts were here first’ crowd.

            New Zealand has a holiday that we are told is a national holiday: Waitangi Day.
            How it can be called a National holiday beats the hell out of me.
            It’s a day that celebrates the signing of a ‘Treaty’. A mere agreement to case and desist all fighting and efforts towards autonomous rule and instead roll over and get ones tummy tickled by royalty in return for guns, booze and smokes.

          • mike e 10.1.2.1.3

            Mediocre Waffler I suppose labour could have continued with the unpopular Fart tax and then we wouldn’t have to listen to your BS spin.
            Or we should all get tractors and drive them up parliaments steps moniker.

  10. penny 11

    Genuine question:

    Let’s say you’re a solid lefty, and you’re ardently opposed to asset sales – so much so, that you helped either Labour or the Greens (or, I guess, New Zealand First) at the last election, and have spent some time collecting signatures for the CIR.

    But let’s say you also happen to have a bit of money in the bank – significantly more than the $1,700 median ‘savings’ that is being bandied about (FYI – that’s a 2006 figure – pre-global financial crisis).

    Should you buy shares?

    • just saying 11.1

      They represent a monopoly of an essential scarce resource which the whole community has built up over years for the common good. The reason they are so tempting is because buying these shares is virtually a license to print money limited by the amount ot shares bought. The company would never be allowed to fail because taxpayers will always prop it up. And the guaranteed profits come straight out of the pockets of the majority who can’t afford to buy shares, your fellow (poorer) citizens.

      So no.

    • DH 11.2

      I think I must be in a parallel universe. Who the hell would waste their time buying $1000 worth of shares? If they return the expected 6-7% a year you’re only looking at making $60-70 on them, $30 more than if you left the cash in the bank. WTF? Why bother for a measly thirty bucks that you may not even get?

      All this mom & pop stuff is ridiculous. This is a money-maker for the big boys, offering bread crumbs to the masses is just a patronising appeasement.

      I can afford to buy shares. I won’t be though, I don’t buy stolen goods.

      • dd 11.2.1

        This is a good point.

        I would only have between 5k to 10k available for this at the most. And I would be much more comfortable putting less than 5k in. Unless we put off our world trip plans but that’s not going to happen.

        Which really becomes a bit of a waste of time?

        • DH 11.2.1.1

          From what I’ve read the small investor won’t be offered even $5k worth of shares, you’d have to buy in to all of the floats to build up any kind of investment. Could be wrong but that’s the way I read it. The article linked to says that parcels will be minimum of $1000 and maximum of $2-$3000 allocated to mum & dad.

          The small investor is usually just the patsy in a share float like this. They add to the demand so the float is oversubscribed & then the favoured bigger buyers can make a quick killing unloading their surplus shares at a higher price to those who missed out. It works a bit like ticket scalping.

          • dd 11.2.1.1.1

            So in your opinion how much money would be required to make it worthwhile.

            It sounds as though it’d be a pretty large amount. In that case i’d imagine even less that 7 percent of nzers will invest other than indirectly through kiwi saver.

            • DH 11.2.1.1.1.1

              Who knows? This is a game for the big boys, the small players are just along for the ride. We don’t know if the big players are chasing a quick capital gain or a long term dividend yield.

              I think the ‘small’ investor the Govt is targeting is those with more than $10k in the bank. The priority rule of investing in shares is to spread the risk so anyone new to the sharemarket will be ideally looking at buying in to each of the floats. $2-3k on each = $10-15k.

  11. jack 12

    I rather invest in solar heating or solor panels and get a return on my investment. The higher electricity goes up, the more solar panels I put in. That is a win win situation. Less dependent on the grid and more dependent on new technology. Noticed Key and National took the rebate off solar panels last month. How convenient.

    • Kotahi Tane Huna 12.1

      Hmm. Sounds good, but if you’re putting in a 3kW system, say, you will need considerably more than $1-2,000. I agree that it’s a better investment though.

    • DH 12.2

      I’m wondering how long Meridian will keep their 1:1 feedback tariff. The other powercos only pay about 1:3 which makes grid-tie a bit marginal, Meridian’s deal makes it worthwhile.

      People who think the power company shares are a good long term investment are mad IMO. Sunlight has no cost, it will never go up in price. Solar panels can only get cheaper and power prices can only go higher… do the maths.

  12. Lanthanide 13

    I can and will probably buy some, depending on how much money the government is determined to give away and whether or not Labour/Greens threaten to buy them back at their issue price etc.

  13. vto 14

    dont buy it.

    everybodys going off grid haven’t you heard.

    • Lanthanide 14.1

      Or, more likely, with peak oil on the horizon, electricity will gain more and more prominence as an energy source, much like it was back in the early 1900’s before fossil fuels took off.

  14. Flying Kiwi 15

    Yes I can afford to buy shares, and I’m going to buy as many MRP shares as I can. And I hope to have up to $150,000.00 to spend tho’ if there’s a share cap I’ll not need so much but it’s likely to be oversubscribed so the more I can apply for the more I’ll get up to that cap

    I did not vote for National, never have and never will, think the Govt. selling Mighty River Power is stupid economically, (tho’ no more stupid than the original creation of the power companies was) and a one-finger gesture to all New Zealanders. I believe power generation and distribution should be a single public utility managed for efficiency and provided at the least possible cost. I would vote against the sale and do anything in my power to prevent it going ahead, but if it is to go ahead I’m going to buy as many shares as I can and hang onto them for as long as I can.

    Does this make me one of the ‘elite’? I don’t think so. I’m not a ‘mum and dad’ investor, but the reason I have $150,000 to put up for MRP shares has a lot to do with the fact that 30-years ago my wife and I decided we didn’t want children and so were able to pursue two careers/incomes without the expense of raising and educating them. We had no ‘inherited’ cash, have worked hard, lived frugally and unostentatiously and as a result are now in our 60’s with a debt-free property and no other debts plus the kind of savings that would enable us to live comfortably on the income even without Super despite an almost negative rate of return on savings.

    • John72 15.1

      Flying Kiwi, congratulations. With so many people crying hardship and poverty, it is pleasant +++, to hear from someone prepared to get out there and work and BUDGET. I have given up reading this site regularly, the negative attitude of so many writers is depressing, but people like you restore hope.
      Thank you for having the courage to speak up.

    • framu 15.2

      so you think its bad for the country economically, you think its a big middle finger to all NZers, youd vote against it and do anything in my power to prevent it going ahead and you believe power generation and distribution should be a single public utility managed for efficiency and provided at the least possible cost…

      … but your happy to profit from it for as much as you can get, even though you know its bad for others?

      Speaks volumes

      • Lanthanide 15.2.1

        I don’t think it “speaks volumes” really. It’s common sense.

        I, like Flying Kiwi, never voted for National and probably never will and I don’t want to see these assets sold. But because they are going to sell them, whether I like it or not, I might as well try and benefit from it as much as possible. If I don’t, someone else will.

        Given the (apparent) structure they’re trying to put in place, to guarantee all retail investors can buy at least a minimum allotment before they are dished out to others, it doesn’t seem like that my buying the assets is disadvantaging anyone else; unless you’re going to say that someone me buying a few thousand worth is going to prevent kiwisaver funds from buying those same shares, and therefore I’ll be preventing others who can’t afford to buy shares outright but belong in kiwisaver will miss out. But the answer to that is: if there is sufficient demand, the individual price per share will go up, so there will still be enough to go around for everyone.

        • framu 15.2.1.1

          “, it doesn’t seem like that my buying the assets is disadvantaging anyone else;”

          erm… im talking about reduced long term revenue to the state, the pursuit of an idealogical goal that goes against majority opinion, the removal of OIA oversight, and projected higher power bills (all concepts that FK outlines in their original comment) – not whether one private share holder gets more than another.

          so it might be all “common sense” from a rational economic actor position – but it still speaks volumes

  15. Yes. Like the Contrarian, through being debt-free. My only investments apart from the retirement fund ones I contribute to are term deposits, on the basis that the NZ sharemarket is a means of parting fools from their money, and banks are somewhat less likely to simply steal our savings than the typical NZ finance company director.

    However, I can’t picture myself buying any asset sales shares because it’s wrong in principle – wrong of the govt to ask us to pay for something we already own, and wrong for the already well-off like me to make even more money at everyone else’s expense.

  16. Fortran 17

    Kiwisaver Managers will go for all they can get – so if you have an account you can expect to see a share whatever.

    • mike e 17.1

      Fartrain My financial advisor is telling me to stay well clear of shares until the global markets settle down again.
      Max keiser also says this gold and silver platinum are going to be the safest look at Teresa Gattung sold all her poorly performing Telecon shares and bought Gold at $800 a troy ounce now its worth more than double.

  17. quartz 18

    Yes. Plenty of spare cash but not buying shares because (1) I consider it receiving stolen property and (2) I don’t think that these companies will be a good investment.

  18. Sweetd 19

    Yes.

  19. chris73 20

    Oh yes (picture me tapping my fingers together to get the right idea)

  20. Wayne 21

    Of course it helps to understand median, half above half below. Most people buying shares will be over 40. Much more of the half above will be in in this group. So I suspect a lot of people, not the elite will buy the shares. The elite if that’s how you call that group is surely not more than the top 5 to 10 percent. But a share offer of this kind will go to more households than that, just not so many younger households.

Recent Comments

Recent Posts

  • Minister acknowledges passing of Sir Robert Martin (KNZM)
    New Zealand lost a true legend when internationally renowned disability advocate Sir Robert Martin (KNZM) passed away at his home in Whanganui last night, Disabilities Issues Minister Louise Upston says. “Our Government’s thoughts are with his wife Lynda, family and community, those he has worked with, the disability community in ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 hours ago
  • Speech to New Zealand Institute of International Affairs, Parliament – Annual Lecture: Challenges ...
    Good evening –   Before discussing the challenges and opportunities facing New Zealand’s foreign policy, we’d like to first acknowledge the New Zealand Institute of International Affairs. You have contributed to debates about New Zealand foreign policy over a long period of time, and we thank you for hosting us.  ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 hours ago
  • Accelerating airport security lines
    From today, passengers travelling internationally from Auckland Airport will be able to keep laptops and liquids in their carry-on bags for security screening thanks to new technology, Transport Minister Simeon Brown says. “Creating a more efficient and seamless travel experience is important for holidaymakers and businesses, enabling faster movement through ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    6 hours ago
  • Community hui to talk about kina barrens
    People with an interest in the health of Northland’s marine ecosystems are invited to a public meeting to discuss how to deal with kina barrens, Oceans and Fisheries Minister Shane Jones says. Mr Jones will lead the discussion, which will take place on Friday, 10 May, at Awanui Hotel in ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    11 hours ago
  • Kiwi exporters win as NZ-EU FTA enters into force
    Kiwi exporters are $100 million better off today with the NZ EU FTA entering into force says Trade Minister Todd McClay. “This is all part of our plan to grow the economy. New Zealand's prosperity depends on international trade, making up 60 per cent of the country’s total economic activity. ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    12 hours ago
  • Mining resurgence a welcome sign
    There are heartening signs that the extractive sector is once again becoming an attractive prospect for investors and a source of economic prosperity for New Zealand, Resources Minister Shane Jones says. “The beginnings of a resurgence in extractive industries are apparent in media reports of the sector in the past ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    13 hours ago
  • Ō-Rākau Remembrance Bill passes first reading
    The return of the historic Ō-Rākau battle site to the descendants of those who fought there moved one step closer today with the first reading of Te Pire mō Ō-Rākau, Te Pae o Maumahara / The Ō-Rākau Remembrance Bill. The Bill will entrust the 9.7-hectare battle site, five kilometres west ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 day ago
  • Government to boost public EV charging network
    Energy Minister Simeon Brown has announced 25 new high-speed EV charging hubs along key routes between major urban centres and outlined the Government’s plan to supercharge New Zealand’s EV infrastructure.  The hubs will each have several chargers and be capable of charging at least four – and up to 10 ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 day ago
  • Residential Property Managers Bill to not progress
    The coalition Government will not proceed with the previous Government’s plans to regulate residential property managers, Housing Minister Chris Bishop says. “I have written to the Chairperson of the Social Services and Community Committee to inform him that the Government does not intend to support the Residential Property Managers Bill ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 day ago
  • Independent review into disability support services
    The Government has announced an independent review into the disability support system funded by the Ministry of Disabled People – Whaikaha. Disability Issues Minister Louise Upston says the review will look at what can be done to strengthen the long-term sustainability of Disability Support Services to provide disabled people and ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 day ago
  • Justice Minister updates UN on law & order plan
    Justice Minister Paul Goldsmith has attended the Universal Periodic Review in Geneva and outlined the Government’s plan to restore law and order. “Speaking to the United Nations Human Rights Council provided us with an opportunity to present New Zealand’s human rights progress, priorities, and challenges, while responding to issues and ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 day ago
  • Ending emergency housing motels in Rotorua
    The Government and Rotorua Lakes Council are committed to working closely together to end the use of contracted emergency housing motels in Rotorua. Associate Minister of Housing (Social Housing) Tama Potaka says the Government remains committed to ending the long-term use of contracted emergency housing motels in Rotorua by the ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 days ago
  • Trade Minister travels to Riyadh, OECD, and Dubai
    Trade Minister Todd McClay heads overseas today for high-level trade talks in the Gulf region, and a key OECD meeting in Paris. Mr McClay will travel to Riyadh to meet with counterparts from Saudi Arabia and the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC). “New Zealand’s goods and services exports to the Gulf region ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 days ago
  • Education priorities focused on lifting achievement
    Education Minister Erica Stanford has outlined six education priorities to deliver a world-leading education system that sets Kiwi kids up for future success. “I’m putting ambition, achievement and outcomes at the heart of our education system. I want every child to be inspired and engaged in their learning so they ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 days ago
  • NZTA App first step towards digital driver licence
    The new NZ Transport Agency (NZTA) App is a secure ‘one stop shop’ to provide the services drivers need, Transport Minister Simeon Brown and Digitising Government Minister Judith Collins say.  “The NZTA App will enable an easier way for Kiwis to pay for Vehicle Registration and Road User Charges (RUC). ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 days ago
  • Supporting whānau out of emergency housing
    Whānau with tamariki growing up in emergency housing motels will be prioritised for social housing starting this week, says Associate Housing Minister Tama Potaka. “Giving these whānau a better opportunity to build healthy stable lives for themselves and future generations is an essential part of the Government’s goal of reducing ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 days ago
  • Tribute to Dave O'Sullivan
    Racing Minister Winston Peters has paid tribute to an icon of the industry with the recent passing of Dave O’Sullivan (OBE). “Our sympathies are with the O’Sullivan family with the sad news of Dave O’Sullivan’s recent passing,” Mr Peters says. “His contribution to racing, initially as a jockey and then ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 days ago
  • Speech – Eid al-Fitr
    Assalaamu alaikum, greetings to you all. Eid Mubarak, everyone! I want to extend my warmest wishes to you and everyone celebrating this joyous occasion. It is a pleasure to be here. I have enjoyed Eid celebrations at Parliament before, but this is my first time joining you as the Minister ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 days ago
  • Government saves access to medicines
    Associate Health Minister David Seymour has announced Pharmac’s largest ever budget of $6.294 billion over four years, fixing a $1.774 billion fiscal cliff.    “Access to medicines is a crucial part of many Kiwis’ lives. We’ve committed to a budget allocation of $1.774 billion over four years so Kiwis are ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 days ago
  • Pharmac Chair appointed
    Hon Paula Bennett has been appointed as member and chair of the Pharmac board, Associate Health Minister David Seymour announced today. "Pharmac is a critical part of New Zealand's health system and plays a significant role in ensuring that Kiwis have the best possible access to medicines,” says Mr Seymour. ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago
  • Taking action on Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder
    Hundreds of New Zealand families affected by Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD) will benefit from a new Government focus on prevention and treatment, says Health Minister Dr Shane Reti. “We know FASD is a leading cause of preventable intellectual and neurodevelopmental disability in New Zealand,” Dr Reti says.  “Every day, ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago
  • New sports complex opens in Kaikohe
    Regional Development Minister Shane Jones today attended the official opening of Kaikohe’s new $14.7 million sports complex. “The completion of the Kaikohe Multi Sports Complex is a fantastic achievement for the Far North,” Mr Jones says. “This facility not only fulfils a long-held dream for local athletes, but also creates ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago
  • Diplomacy needed more than ever
    Foreign Minister Winston Peters’ engagements in Türkiye this week underlined the importance of diplomacy to meet growing global challenges.    “Returning to the Gallipoli Peninsula to represent New Zealand at Anzac commemorations was a sombre reminder of the critical importance of diplomacy for de-escalating conflicts and easing tensions,” Mr Peters ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    5 days ago
  • Anzac Commemorative Address, Buttes New British Cemetery Belgium
    Ambassador Millar, Burgemeester, Vandepitte, Excellencies, military representatives, distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen – good morning and welcome to this sacred Anzac Day dawn service.  It is an honour to be here on behalf of the Government and people of New Zealand at Buttes New British Cemetery, Polygon Wood – a deeply ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    5 days ago
  • Anzac Commemorative Address – NZ National Service, Chunuk Bair
    Distinguished guests -   It is an honour to return once again to this site which, as the resting place for so many of our war-dead, has become a sacred place for generations of New Zealanders.   Our presence here and at the other special spaces of Gallipoli is made ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    6 days ago
  • Anzac Commemorative Address – Dawn Service, Gallipoli, Türkiye
    Mai ia tawhiti pamamao, te moana nui a Kiwa, kua tae whakaiti mai matou, ki to koutou papa whenua. No koutou te tapuwae, no matou te tapuwae, kua honoa pumautia.   Ko nga toa kua hinga nei, o te Waipounamu, o te Ika a Maui, he okioki tahi me o ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    6 days ago
  • PM announces changes to portfolios
    Paul Goldsmith will take on responsibility for the Media and Communications portfolio, while Louise Upston will pick up the Disability Issues portfolio, Prime Minister Christopher Luxon announced today. “Our Government is relentlessly focused on getting New Zealand back on track. As issues change in prominence, I plan to adjust Ministerial ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago
  • New catch limits for unique fishery areas
    Recreational catch limits will be reduced in areas of Fiordland and the Chatham Islands to help keep those fisheries healthy and sustainable, Oceans and Fisheries Minister Shane Jones says. The lower recreational daily catch limits for a range of finfish and shellfish species caught in the Fiordland Marine Area and ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago
  • Minister welcomes hydrogen milestone
    Energy Minister Simeon Brown has welcomed an important milestone in New Zealand’s hydrogen future, with the opening of the country’s first network of hydrogen refuelling stations in Wiri. “I want to congratulate the team at Hiringa Energy and its partners K one W one (K1W1), Mitsui & Co New Zealand ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago
  • Urgent changes to system through first RMA Amendment Bill
    The coalition Government is delivering on its commitment to improve resource management laws and give greater certainty to consent applicants, with a Bill to amend the Resource Management Act (RMA) expected to be introduced to Parliament next month. RMA Reform Minister Chris Bishop has today outlined the first RMA Amendment ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago
  • Overseas decommissioning models considered
    Overseas models for regulating the oil and gas sector, including their decommissioning regimes, are being carefully scrutinised as a potential template for New Zealand’s own sector, Resources Minister Shane Jones says. The Coalition Government is focused on rebuilding investor confidence in New Zealand’s energy sector as it looks to strengthen ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago
  • Release of North Island Severe Weather Event Inquiry
    Emergency Management and Recovery Minister Mark Mitchell has today released the Report of the Government Inquiry into the response to the North Island Severe Weather Events. “The report shows that New Zealand’s emergency management system is not fit-for-purpose and there are some significant gaps we need to address,” Mr Mitchell ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago
  • Justice Minister to attend Human Rights Council
    Justice Minister Paul Goldsmith is today travelling to Europe where he’ll update the United Nations Human Rights Council on the Government’s work to restore law and order.  “Attending the Universal Periodic Review in Geneva provides us with an opportunity to present New Zealand’s human rights progress, priorities, and challenges, while ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago
  • Patterson reopens world’s largest wool scouring facility
    Associate Agriculture Minister, Mark Patterson, formally reopened the world’s largest wool processing facility today in Awatoto, Napier, following a $50 million rebuild and refurbishment project. “The reopening of this facility will significantly lift the economic opportunities available to New Zealand’s wool sector, which already accounts for 20 per cent of ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago
  • Speech to the Southland Otago Regional Engineering Collective Summit, 18 April 2024
    Hon Andrew Bayly, Minister for Small Business and Manufacturing  At the Southland Otago Regional Engineering Collective (SOREC) Summit, 18 April, Dunedin    Ngā mihi nui, Ko Andrew Bayly aho, Ko Whanganui aho    Good Afternoon and thank you for inviting me to open your summit today.    I am delighted ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago
  • Government to introduce revised Three Strikes law
    The Government is delivering on its commitment to bring back the Three Strikes legislation, Associate Justice Minister Nicole McKee announced today. “Our Government is committed to restoring law and order and enforcing appropriate consequences on criminals. We are making it clear that repeat serious violent or sexual offending is not ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago
  • New diplomatic appointments
    Foreign Minister Winston Peters has today announced four new diplomatic appointments for New Zealand’s overseas missions.   “Our diplomats have a vital role in maintaining and protecting New Zealand’s interests around the world,” Mr Peters says.    “I am pleased to announce the appointment of these senior diplomats from the ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago
  • Humanitarian support for Ethiopia and Somalia
    New Zealand is contributing NZ$7 million to support communities affected by severe food insecurity and other urgent humanitarian needs in Ethiopia and Somalia, Foreign Minister Rt Hon Winston Peters announced today.   “Over 21 million people are in need of humanitarian assistance across Ethiopia, with a further 6.9 million people ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago
  • Arts Minister congratulates Mataaho Collective
    Minister for Arts, Culture and Heritage Paul Goldsmith is congratulating Mataaho Collective for winning the Golden Lion for best participant in the main exhibition at the Venice Biennale. "Congratulations to the Mataaho Collective for winning one of the world's most prestigious art prizes at the Venice Biennale.  “It is good ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago
  • Supporting better financial outcomes for Kiwis
    The Government is reforming financial services to improve access to home loans and other lending, and strengthen customer protections, Commerce and Consumer Affairs Minister Andrew Bayly and Housing Minister Chris Bishop announced today. “Our coalition Government is committed to rebuilding the economy and making life simpler by cutting red tape. We are ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 weeks ago

Page generated in The Standard by Wordpress at 2024-05-01T09:13:18+00:00