What can be done about the closure of the Cadbury factory in Dunedin?
Are we really going to allow around 350 skilled staff and a iconic production plant go to waste?
It’s been reported that globally, the Dunedin factory is one of the best-performing operations in the Mondelez family.
Cadbury/Mondelez acknowledge workers at the plant are among the best performing and if it weren’t for their commitment, dedication and outstanding performance, the factory might have closed some time ago.
On top of that, Dunedin has a high quality local milk supply and a port with easy access to international markets facilitating exports.
The Dunedin factory has also been reported as being a pretty profitable business.
Figures from 2015 showed the company reported a profit of $9 million.
Therefore, there is a potential opportunity here.
Interest from Whittaker’s has been sought, but unfortunately Whittaker’s ruled out any interest in buying Cadbury’s Dunedin factory.
However, at this stage, there’s still hope (from the consultation process) the proposal to close the plant will be dropped.
Otago-Southland Employers Association is strongly advocating for Cadbury/Mondelez to retain the factory in Dunedin.
Meanwhile, Otago Chamber of Commerce chief executive Dougal McGowan wasted no time (in an already-scheduled meeting with Central Otago Mayor) trying to find jobs for the Cadbury workers. Pledging the total support of the Chamber to any task-force established to find a way of supporting the workers.
Critical of the statements put out by politicians immediately after the Cadbury/Mondelez announcement, Mr McGowan said it was important MPs got involved in discussions about the future of the plant’s employees.
Failing Cadbury/Mondelez dropping the proposal, can the plant and jobs be saved?
Well, there are numerous possibilities.
Although Whittaker’s declined to show interest, there still could be other local confectionery producers looking to expand, thus be interested in purchasing the plant.
There could be local private investors seeking an opportunity. Or local investment funds such as NZ Super, ACC etc…
Central Government, Dunedin Council or both could consider investing. Ranging from a full out purchase of the plant down to facilitating a low interest loan to a local interested party.
A public crowd-funding project.
The Union could assist employees to form a cooperative to purchase the plant, perhaps with the assistance of local or central Government.
Offshore interest could be sought.
At the end of the day we have a fully staffed plant with export potential ready to go, therefore, it’s in the country’s best interest to ensure this plant continues to be commercially viable and remains in Dunedin.
The call to not boycott Cadbury sounds silly to me. So if Cadbury managed to magically double sales would there be any more chance of them staying? I doubt it. Trying to mind read and please an ugly profit driven corporate is not a good idea in my opinion.
inspider
Noticed since you started dropping in that you tend to make puerile comments. Nothing to add to the discussion, instead some half-arsed sneer. Why bother I ask? You will get lonely and confused with all these thinking people outdistancing you. Go home Red Riding Hood before you get lost. Mortgage your own house and invest in something, perhaps some up-to-date tertiary education.
Personally, I don’t have the time to commit to such a venture.
Nevertheless, it’s been reported Cadbury workers are gaining a lot of public support. Therefore, it would be interesting to see if the NZ public would be willing to support them by taking a punt and fiscally invest through an online crowd funding scheme.
I put up a comment about Cadbury’s workers and it went down to #15 somehow.
All about co-ops – they are getting a push now especially smaller ones, and could have something to offer Dunedin.
This is the point at which it would be useful to have a government that gave a shit. The factory remains profitable despite the best efforts of Mondelez to make crap chocolate that’s inferior to the competition, so a government that understood its job would make sure it stayed running, whether by putting up money for the workers to take it over as a cooperative, or just making it a publicly-owned asset until there’s a private buyer for it. Too bad we don’t have a government worth the name.
Would the parent company be willing to franchise the name and leave the local operation here – not owned by them but making Cadbury branded products? You get the feeling that NZ is seen as a trading nuisance.
That way we could have a locally owned co-operative and either fundraise for that – or make some other local financial arrangements.
Makes a lie of the “we need crap wages” doesn’t it. Lots of Aussie made products here despite there much higher wage structure.
Not sure if Cadbury/Mondelez are interested in franchising. But it is something that could be put to them.
They are however considering the potential of continuing to produce their local products (Pineapple Lumps, Jaffas, etc) here. The current plant would be best suited to continue on that production, thus could be a contract a new owner could potentially secure.
It’s profitable when run by one of the world’s largest companies, producing products with years of brand marketing behind them and a sophisticated distribution system that gets them to market across NZ, Australia and beyond.
That’s no guarantee it would be successful under a new owner. What does the government know about chocolate marketing that makes it sensible to run it? Maybe we should encourage it to step in and save the tattoo parlour and hairdresser in my neighbourhood that are closing down?
“It’s profitable when run by one of the world’s largest companies…”
Yes, yet they are considering laying off staff and moving production offshore.
While brand marketing and distribution networks are important, a fundamental behind any company is its people (staff). The Dunedin factory is one of the best-performing operations in the Mondelez family.
Of course there is no guarantee it would be successful under a new owner, but having such an outstanding production team already in place reduces the risk, thus improves the odds.
“What does the government know about chocolate marketing that makes it sensible to run it? “
They would secure the skill and expertise required as is generally done.
The local tattoo parlour and hairdresser closing down in your area don’t have such a large impact on the economy, thus are no serious comparison.
Critical of the statements put out by politicians immediately after the Cadbury/Mondelez announcement, Mr McGowan said it was important MPs got involved in discussions about the future of the plant’s employees.
Weird. I’m pretty sure that the Chamber of Commerce is one of the main proponents of keeping government out of business.
The Union could assist employees to form a cooperative to purchase the plant, perhaps with the assistance of local or central Government.
That would probably be the best option. Set it up as an independent, self-owned* business that’s run by the people who work there.
* Not owned by either the government, shareholders or the workers. It would be a legal entity with the workers listed as its directors. No, I don’t know the law – this is just how I think all businesses should be.
Nope. Whenever business feels the pinch they reach out for government handouts real fast. It seems to be a general hypocrisy of the business community.
“Nope. Whenever business feels the pinch they reach out for government handouts real fast. It seems to be a general hypocrisy of the business community.”
Which is what I meant about the severity. Other businesses will be impacted by the plant’s closure.
“Do we know why Cadbury/Mondelez plan to close the plant?”
Apparently, the vast majority of their product is exported to Australia and they believe they have the capacity to produce their product there, thus cutting shipping costs etc…
As for selling it as a going concern, as far as I’m aware no final decision has been made. They are currently seeking feedback through their consultation process. However, they have stated they recognise the significance of the site, thus are hopeful of finding a buyer that will use it in a way that supports the local community and economy.
It’s sad for Dunedin culturally, and it’s a huge indictment of the company that they’d throw those workers to the wolves for some extra dosh. I’m not sure that saving the company is the way to go, but buying up the plant and supporting the existing workers to run it co-operatively is a great idea.
Having said that chocolate is pretty dirty business. Not sure it would be possible to run a large chocolate making business in NZ ethically. Maybe.
Why? Because it is child/teacher focussed and does away with useless on going assessments a la Parata. It brings in free ece and does away with Charter schools.
It promotes egalitarianism and puts more into producing better (and trusted) teachers – you know ,the ones who know what the children need.
Nothing on Tertiary as such, they say ece has a better return on investment, and that Tertiary needs an overhaul first.
The phoney war is nearly over.
“The odds of an early collapse of EU-UK Brexit negotiations are shortening by the day. And that’s before talks have started. Usually circumspect analysts have concluded that Theresa May is likely to flounce out in a huff. Prime candidate for the catalyst that spurs an almighty row is a bill for €60 billion that Brussels is reported to be drawing up: the amount that Britain owes for pension liabilities and budgeted spending commitments.”
She actually has control over the negotiations. She signalled this at the outset, when she said no deal would be better than a bad deal.
At the end of two years the UK can simply leave with no further liabilities, and just revert to the WTO rules. It is after all the basis that New Zealand, the US, Japan and in fact most of the world trades with the EU.
The EU will eventually work out they do not hold the strong cards, especially when a US/UK FTA is in the offing.
The EU will eventually work out they do not hold the strong cards, especially when a US/UK FTA is in the offing.
You know, the whole point of the WTO and GATT before it was so that there weren’t, and wasn’t any need for, bilateral trade agreements.
Modern bilateral trade agreements are indicative of the failure of the WTO and the WTO was set up because of the previous failure of bilateral trade agreements.
Why do we keep repeating the same mistakes when we know that they don’t work?
Obviously FTA’ are better than GATT/WTO, but the reality is that a huge amount of trade still occurs under GATT/WTO.
For instance all of NZ’s trade with the US occurs under GATT/WTO.
So while it would be better if there was some form of FTA between the UK and the EU, the UK will still be able to trade with the EU under GATT/WTO, especially in industrial goods. Most of these have very low tariffs under the GATT rules, often zero.
The negotiating edge that May has is that she has a US/UK FTA in the wings. This could easily be extended to Australia, Canada and NZ (Singapore as well). This is the same size market as the EU.
The EU may well decide it needs some form of FTA with the UK to hold onto markets – all those German cars! It will need to be a deal that the UK sees as fair.
So while it would be better if there was some form of FTA between the UK and the EU, the UK will still be able to trade with the EU under GATT/WTO, especially in industrial goods.
That’s an article of faith, not reality.
They don’t work because they lock countries into deals that are actually bad for them. Force them into doing trade that they don’t want to do.
So, again: Why do we keep repeating the same mistakes when we know that they don’t work?
Free trade in industrial goods has been one of the greatest engines of growth since WW2. For the opposite result try out the Smoot Hawley Act. It helped deepen the 1930’s recession.
The history of international trade may look like a struggle between protectionism and free trade, but the modern context is currently allowing both types of policies to grow in tandem. Indeed, the choice between free trade and protectionism may be a false choice; advanced nations are realizing that economic growth and stability depend on a strategic mix of trade policies.
Far better for each individual nation to set standards as to where they will trade and where they won’t. Standards that ensure that each cost is properly accounted for and principles maintained.
None of this forced trade that we see from the WTO. No more nations saying that they will stop trade with us if we demand an inquiry as to why their goods aren’t up to the standards that they were advertised as.
Remove the bloody threats that the present system forces upon us.
For the last several years we’ve had a trade deficit with China. Despite this the NZ$ is still worth more on the forex than the Chinese yuan. Why is this?
The NZ$ should be dropping against the yuan but it isn’t. This is because China keeps decreasing the value of the yuan every time that the global economy goes into recession and their exports start to decrease. Such actions used to be called marcantalism and beggar thy neighbour economics.
So, yes, we have an FTA with China – we don’t have free-trade.
The EU is a lot more than a Bilateral Trade Agreement.
It’s existance arose from a political desire to bring European countries together and to stop the incessat wars. That has been a success.
The EU has Four Fredoms at the heart of its constitution.
Freedom of Movememt of Workers
Freedom of Movement of goods and services
Freedom of Capital
Freedom to establish and provide services.
May and her light-weight team want to ignore the EU as a holistic entity. That is at the heart of their failure.
Cinny, this deal has been in the wind for a long time and is the only sensible way for them to go, otherwise they could well be wiped out (as Labour wants) .I would like to see Hone in parliament again… he speaks truth to power better than anyone else in that cosy little den of neolibs.
I really like Hone, have admired him for a long time. But I’m a bit disappointed.
Just like you I would love to see him in Parliament again, for the same reasons “he speaks truth to power better than anyone else in that cosy little den of neolibs.”
However I just don’t trust the Maori Party after cuddling up with the Nat’s for so long.
Mind you, it is the year of great change, so anything could happen. Maori Party may not cuddle up to National ever again.
That makes sense, but to add more to the daydream, cause am liking the idea of both of them in house.
Labour takes out the rest of the Maori seats, Maori party doesn’t reach the threshold and bye to them.
There’s some unusual political comment at the Herald of late (yesterday’s comments on the poll, for instance), and this is an example of this – I don’t think it’s a valid assumption to assume that most of Te Hira Paenga’s votes would go to Hone Harawira, for instance.
(It’s also probably not a good idea to assume that most of Annette Sykes’ votes would go to Te Ururoa Flavell either)
Judge Mark Buscombe said Lawson ‘giggled’ when police spoke to him after the crash.
He told them, “It worked, it got rid of the car.”
Lawson was taken to hospital suffering ‘psychosis’, the court heard on Friday.
He spent seven months as an involuntary mental health patient following the smash.
Judge Buscombe said Lawson had paranoid delusions.
Medical assessments found he had undiagnosed schizophrenia and was smoking three ‘cones’, also known as ‘bongs’, every day in the 12-months leading up to the crash.
We don’t know if he was stoned or not when the crash happened but we do know that he has mental health issues.
Talk about misreporting.
Interestingly enough, it was this type of misreporting that launched the War on Drugs. Of course, back then they would have gone heavy on the racism as well.
And what condition was the woman in after all that? A very glaring example of lack of empathy for one another, and concentration on correct reporting of cause. The victim is a woman, end of interest.
How quickly the msm divert their attention away from Flynn, Trump and his aides lying about their communications with Moscow ….. towards a stupid story about Sweden
Had the poll come out last night with good news for National Kiwiblog would have been instantly in action with big positive headlines and lots of blather.
Kim Dotcom will be on with J Campbell in a minute, re a ruling that there is no Copyright Law to justify the original arrest or the original charges.
But is liable for fraud deportation. Kim reckons it is a major win for him.
To update that Kiwiblog does now cover the latest poll. In a most pointedly down in the mouth, downmarket way.
Had things been positive there would have been orgasmic splurges last night followed by the metaphorical, cigarette today, with cooly blown smoke rings. Regardless of remarks directed at my reaction, I like displays of childish petulance by the spited.
Kiwiblog has been doing less in the way of commentary on polls since Late Last year. this is no different. Maybe he felt he was giving away his income as a pollster.
Starting a Co-op
Looking to build an enterprise that’s freely established by a group that provides mutual benefits? Here, NZ Co-op can show you how to start a Co-op and how to benefit from the activities of the enterprise, not just from primarily investments.
Since taking on the CEO role at Cooperative Business NZ in April 2016, Craig Presland has received many requests for assistance with setting up new co-operatives. With this in mind, Craig has produced a User Guide for all those considering whether to set up, or otherwise to join, a co-operative. In this document we answer the following questions:
Start Up User Guide for new co-ops, mutuals and societies
How do we progress from a group of individuals with an idea, to forming and registering a company, to drafting a constitution and business plan, to holding our first general meeting, to holding our first AGM 12 months later?
What is a co-operative and how does this vary from standard companies (publicly and privately owned), mutual companies, incorporated societies, building societies, industrial and provident societies, credit unions etc.
What is the history of co-operatives in NZ, and globally, and what other NZ co-operatives are there?
Is the co-operative business model the right one for us?
Which type of co-operative is best for us?
How do we set up a co-operative including best practice governance?
Is our idea business-worthy?
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The annual list of who's been bribing our politicians is out, and journalists will no doubt be poring over it to find the juiciest and dirtiest bribes. The government's fast-track invite list is likely to be a particular focus, and we already know of one company on the list which ...
In the weeks after the October 7 Hamas attacks on Southern Israel I wrote about the possible 2nd, 3rd and even 4th order effects of the conflict. These included new fronts being opened in the West Bank (with Hamas), Golan … Continue reading → ...
Peter Dunne writes – It is one of the oldest truisms that there is never a good time for MPs to get a pay rise. This week’s announcement of pay raises of around 2.8% backdated to last October could hardly have come at a worse time, with the ...
David Farrar writes – Newshub reports: Newshub can reveal a fresh allegation of intimidation against Green MP Julie-Anne Genter. Genter is subject to a disciplinary process for aggressively waving a book in the face of National Minister Matt Doocey in the House – but it’s not the first time ...
The Treasury has published a paper today on the global productivity slowdown and how it is playing out in New Zealand: The productivity slowdown: implications for the Treasury’s forecasts and projections. The Treasury Paper examines recent trends in productivity and the potential drivers of the slowdown. Productivity for the whole economy ...
Winston Peters’ comments about former Australian foreign minister look set to be an ongoing headache for both him and Luxon. Photo: Lynn Grieveson / The KākāTL;DR: The podcast above of the weekly ‘hoon’ webinar for subscribers features co-hosts and , along with regular guests on Gaza and ...
These puppet strings don't pull themselvesYou're thinking thoughts from someone elseHow much time do you think you have?Are you prepared for what comes next?The debating chamber can be a trying place for an opposition MP. What with the person in charge, the speaker, typically being an MP from the governing ...
The land around Lyme Regis, where Meryl Streep once stood, in a hood, on the Cobb, is falling into the sea.MerylThe land around Lyme Regis, around the Cobb that made it rich, has always been falling slowly but surely into the sea. Read more ...
Photo by Jari Hytönen on UnsplashIt’s that new day of the week (Thursday rather than Friday) when and I co-host our ‘hoon’ webinar with paying subscribers to The Kākā for an hour at 5 pm. Jump on this link on YouTube Livestream for our chat about the week’s news ...
Buzz from the Beehive Foreign Affairs Minister Winston Peters was bound to win headlines when he set out his thinking about AUKUS in his speech to the New Zealand Institute of International Affairs. The headlines became bigger when – during an interview on RNZ’s Morning Report today – he criticised ...
The Post reports on how the government is refusing to release its advice on its corrupt Muldoonist fast-track law, instead using the "soon to be publicly available" refusal ground to hide it until after select committee submissions on the bill have closed. Fast-track Minister Chris Bishop's excuse? “It's not ...
The Green Party is welcoming the announcement by the Minister Responsible for RMA Reform Chris Bishop to approve most of the Wellington City Council’s District Plan recommendations. ...
David Seymour has failed to get the sweeping cuts he wanted to the free and healthy school lunch programme, Labour education spokesperson Jan Tinetti said. ...
Hon Willie Jackson has been invited by the Oxford Union to debate the motion “This House Believes British Museums are not Very British’ on May 23rd. ...
Green Party MP Hūhana Lyndon says her Public Works (Prohibition of Compulsory Acquisition of Māori Land) Amendment Bill is an opportunity to right some past wrongs around the alienation of Māori land. ...
A senior, highly respected King’s Counsel with decades of experience in our law courts, Gary Judd KC, has filed a complaint about compulsory tikanga Māori studies for law students - highlighting the utter depths of absurdity this woke cultural madness has taken our society. The tikanga regulations will compel law ...
The Government needs to be clear with the people of the Nelson Marlborough region about the changes it is considering for the Nelson Hospital rebuild, Labour health spokesperson Ayesha Verrall said. ...
Ministers must front up about which projects it will push through under its Fast Track Approvals legislation, Labour environment spokesperson Rachel Brooking said today. ...
The Government is again adding to New Zealand’s growing unemployment, this time cutting jobs at the agencies responsible for urban development and growing much needed housing stock. ...
With Minister Karen Chhour indicating in the House today that she either doesn’t know or care about the frontline cuts she’s making to Oranga Tamariki, we risk seeing more and more of our children falling through the cracks. ...
The Labour Party is saddened to learn of the death of Sir Robert Martin, a globally renowned disability advocate who led the way for disability rights both in New Zealand and internationally. ...
Labour is calling for the Government to urgently rethink its coalition commitment to restart live animal exports, Labour animal welfare spokesperson Rachel Boyack said. ...
Today’s Financial Stability Report has once again highlighted that poverty and deep inequality are political choices - and this Government is choosing to make them worse. ...
The Green Party is calling on the Government to do more for our households in most need as unemployment rises and the cost of living crisis endures. ...
Unemployment is on the rise and it’s only going to get worse under this Government, Labour finance spokesperson Barbara Edmonds said. Stats NZ figures show the unemployment rate grew to 4.3 percent in the March quarter from 4 percent in the December quarter. “This is the second rise in unemployment ...
The New Zealand Labour Party welcomes the entering into force of the European Union and New Zealand free trade agreement. This agreement opens the door for a huge increase in trade opportunities with a market of 450 million people who are high value discerning consumers of New Zealand goods and ...
The National-led Government continues its fiscal jiggery pokery with its Pharmac announcement today, Labour Health spokesperson Ayesha Verrall says. “The government has increased Pharmac funding but conceded it will only make minimal increases in access to medicine”, said Ayesha Verrall “This is far from the bold promises made to fund ...
This afternoon’s interim Waitangi Tribunal report must be taken seriously as it affects our most vulnerable children, Labour children’s spokesperson Willow-Jean Prime. ...
Te Pāti Māori are demanding the New Zealand Government support an international independent investigation into mass graves that have been uncovered at two hospitals on the Gaza strip, following weeks of assault by Israeli troops. Among the 392 bodies that have been recovered, are children and elderly civilians. Many of ...
Our two-tiered system for veterans’ support is out of step with our closest partners, and all parties in Parliament should work together to fix it, Labour veterans’ affairs spokesperson Greg O’Connor said. ...
Stripping two Ministers of their portfolios just six months into the job shows Christopher Luxon’s management style is lacking, Labour Leader Chris Hipkins said. ...
Tonight’s court decision to overturn the summons of the Children’s Minister has enabled the Crown to continue making decisions about Māori without evidence, says Te Pāti Māori spokesperson for Children, Mariameno Kapa-Kingi. “The judicial system has this evening told the nation that this government can do whatever they want when ...
It appears Nicola Willis is about to pull the rug out from under the feet of local communities still dealing with the aftermath of last year’s severe weather, and local councils relying on funding to build back from these disasters. ...
The Government is making short-sighted changes to the Resource Management Act (RMA) that will take away environmental protection in favour of short-term profits, Labour’s environment spokesperson Rachel Brooking said today. ...
Labour welcomes the release of the report into the North Island weather events and looks forward to working with the Government to ensure that New Zealand is as prepared as it can be for the next natural disaster. ...
The Labour Party has called for the New Zealand Government to recognise Palestine, as a material step towards progressing the two-State solution needed to achieve a lasting peace in the region. ...
Some of our country’s most important work, stopping the sexual exploitation of children and violent extremism could go along with staff on the frontline at ports and airports. ...
The Government’s Fast Track Approvals Bill will give projects such as new coal mines a ‘get out of jail free’ card to wreak havoc on the environment, Labour Leader Chris Hipkins said today. ...
The government's decision to reintroduce Three Strikes is a destructive and ineffective piece of law-making that will only exacerbate an inherently biased and racist criminal justice system, said Te Pāti Māori Justice Spokesperson, Tākuta Ferris, today. During the time Three Strikes was in place in Aotearoa, Māori and Pasifika received ...
Cuts to frontline hospital staff are not only a broken election promise, it shows the reckless tax cuts have well and truly hit the frontline of the health system, says Labour Health spokesperson Ayesha Verrall. ...
The Green Party has joined the call for public submissions on the fast-track legislation to be extended after the Ombudsman forced the Government to release the list of organisations invited to apply just hours before submissions close. ...
New Zealand’s good work at reducing climate emissions for three years in a row will be undone by the National government’s lack of ambition and scrapping programmes that were making a difference, Labour Party climate spokesperson Megan Woods said today. ...
Jobseeker beneficiaries who have work obligations must now meet with MSD within two weeks of their benefit starting to determine their next step towards finding a job, Social Development and Employment Minister Louise Upston says. “A key part of the coalition Government’s plan to have 50,000 fewer people on Jobseeker ...
A new standalone Social Investment Agency will power-up the social investment approach, driving positive change for our most vulnerable New Zealanders, Social Investment Minister Nicola Willis says. “Despite the Government currently investing more than $70 billion every year into social services, we are not seeing the outcomes we want for ...
Check against delivery Good morning. It is a pleasure to be with you to outline the Coalition Government’s approach to our first Budget. Thank you Mark Skelly, President of the Hutt Valley Chamber of Commerce, together with your Board and team, for hosting me. I’d like to acknowledge His Worship ...
Your Excellency Ambassador Meredith, Members of the Diplomatic Corps and Ambassadors from European Union Member States, Ministerial colleagues, Members of Parliament, and other distinguished guests, Thank you everyone for joining us. Ladies and gentlemen - In diplomacy, we often speak of ‘close’ and ‘long-standing’ relations. ...
The Therapeutic Products Act (TPA) will be repealed this year so that a better regime can be put in place to provide New Zealanders safe and timely access to medicines, medical devices and health products, Associate Health Minister Casey Costello announced today. “The medicines and products we are talking about ...
The Minister Responsible for RMA Reform, Chris Bishop, today released his decision on twenty recommendations referred to him by the Wellington City Council relating to its Intensification Planning Instrument, after the Council rejected those recommendations of the Independent Hearings Panel and made alternative recommendations. “Wellington notified its District Plan on ...
Rape Awareness Week (6-10 May) is an important opportunity to acknowledge the continued effort required by government and communities to ensure that all New Zealanders can live free from violence, say Ministers Karen Chhour and Louise Upston. “With 1 in 3 women and 1 in 8 men experiencing sexual violence ...
Associate Education Minister David Seymour has today announced that the Government will be delivering a more efficient Healthy School Lunches Programme, saving taxpayers approximately $107 million a year compared to how Labour funded it, by embracing innovation and commercial expertise. “We are delivering on our commitment to treat taxpayers’ money ...
New research on the impacts of extreme weather on coastal marine habitats in Tairāwhiti and Hawke’s Bay will help fishery managers plan for and respond to any future events, Oceans and Fisheries Minister Shane Jones says. A report released today on research by Niwa on behalf of Fisheries New Zealand ...
Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Winston Peters will lead a broad political delegation on a five-stop Pacific tour next week to strengthen New Zealand’s engagement with the region. The delegation will visit Solomon Islands, Papua New Guinea, Vanuatu, New Caledonia, and Tuvalu. “New Zealand has deep and ...
There has been a material decline in gas production according to figures released today by the Gas Industry Co. Figures released by the Gas Industry Company show that there was a 12.5 per cent reduction in gas production during 2023, and a 27.8 per cent reduction in gas production in the ...
Defence Minister Judith Collins tonight announced the recipients of the Minister of Defence Awards of Excellence for Industry, saying they all contribute to New Zealanders’ security and wellbeing. “Congratulations to this year’s recipients, whose innovative products and services play a critical role in the delivery of New Zealand’s defence capabilities, ...
Welcome to you all - it is a pleasure to be here this evening.I would like to start by thanking Greg Lowe, Chair of the New Zealand Defence Industry Advisory Council, for co-hosting this reception with me. This evening is about recognising businesses from across New Zealand and overseas who in ...
It is a pleasure to be speaking to you as the Minister for Digitising Government. I would like to thank Akolade for the invitation to address this Summit, and to acknowledge the great effort you are making to grow New Zealand’s digital future. Today, we stand at the cusp of ...
New Zealand is urging both Israel and Hamas to agree to an immediate ceasefire to avoid the further humanitarian catastrophe that military action in Rafah would unleash, Foreign Minister Winston Peters says. “The immense suffering in Gaza cannot be allowed to worsen further. Both sides have a responsibility to ...
A new online data dashboard released today as part of the Government’s school attendance action plan makes more timely daily attendance data available to the public and parents, says Associate Education Minister David Seymour. The interactive dashboard will be updated once a week to show a national average of how ...
Foreign Minister Winston Peters has announced Rosemary Banks will be New Zealand’s next Ambassador to the United States of America. “Our relationship with the United States is crucial for New Zealand in strategic, security and economic terms,” Mr Peters says. “New Zealand and the United States have a ...
The Government is considering creating a new tier of minerals permitting that will make it easier for hobby miners to prospect for gold. “New Zealand was built on gold, it’s in our DNA. Our gold deposits, particularly in regions such as Otago and the West Coast have always attracted fortune-hunters. ...
Minister for Trade Todd McClay today announced that New Zealand and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) will commence negotiations on a free trade agreement (FTA). Minister McClay met with his counterpart UAE Trade Minister Dr Thani bin Ahmed Al Zeyoudi in Dubai, where they announced the launch of negotiations on a ...
New Zealand Sign Language Week is an excellent opportunity for all Kiwis to give the language a go, Disabilities Issues Minister Louise Upston says. This week (May 6 to 12) is New Zealand Sign Language (NZSL) Week. The theme is “an Aotearoa where anyone can sign anywhere” and aims to ...
Six tertiary students have been selected to work on NASA projects in the US through a New Zealand Space Scholarship, Space Minister Judith Collins announced today. “This is a fantastic opportunity for these talented students. They will undertake internships at NASA’s Ames Research Center or its Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL), where ...
New Zealanders will be safer because of a $1.9 billion investment in more frontline Corrections officers, more support for offenders to turn away from crime, and more prison capacity, Corrections Minister Mark Mitchell says. “Our Government said we would crack down on crime. We promised to restore law and order, ...
The OECD’s latest report on New Zealand reinforces the importance of bringing Government spending under control, Finance Minister Nicola Willis says. The OECD conducts country surveys every two years to review its members’ economic policies. The 2024 New Zealand survey was presented in Wellington today by OECD Chief Economist Clare Lombardelli. ...
The Government has delivered on its election promise to provide a financially sustainable model for Auckland under its Local Water Done Well plan. The plan, which has been unanimously endorsed by Auckland Council’s Governing Body, will see Aucklanders avoid the previously projected 25.8 per cent water rates increases while retaining ...
Foreign Minister Winston Peters discussed the need for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza, and enhanced cooperation in the Pacific with German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock during her first official visit to New Zealand today. "New Zealand and Germany enjoy shared interests and values, including the rule of law, democracy, respect for the international system ...
The Minister Responsible for RMA Reform, Chris Bishop today released his decision on four recommendations referred to him by the Western Bay of Plenty District Council, opening the door to housing growth in the area. The Council’s Plan Change 92 allows more homes to be built in existing and new ...
Thank you, John McKinnon and the New Zealand China Council for the invitation to speak to you today. Thank you too, all members of the China Council. Your effort has played an essential role in helping to build, shape, and grow a balanced and resilient relationship between our two ...
The Government is modernising insurance law to better protect Kiwis and provide security in the event of a disaster, Commerce and Consumer Affairs Minister Andrew Bayly announced today. “These reforms are long overdue. New Zealand’s insurance law is complicated and dated, some of which is more than 100 years old. ...
The coalition Government is refreshing its approach to supporting pay equity claims as time-limited funding for the Pay Equity Taskforce comes to an end, Public Service Minister Nicola Willis says. “Three years ago, the then-government introduced changes to the Equal Pay Act to support pay equity bargaining. The changes were ...
Structured literacy will change the way New Zealand children learn to read - improving achievement and setting students up for success, Education Minister Erica Stanford says. “Being able to read and write is a fundamental life skill that too many young people are missing out on. Recent data shows that ...
Trade Minister Todd McClay says Canada’s refusal to comply in full with a CPTPP trade dispute ruling in our favour over dairy trade is cynical and New Zealand has no intention of backing down. Mr McClay said he has asked for urgent legal advice in respect of our ‘next move’ ...
The rights of our children and young people will be enhanced by changes the coalition Government will make to strengthen oversight of the Oranga Tamariki system, including restoring a single Children’s Commissioner. “The Government is committed to delivering better public services that care for our most at-risk young people and ...
The Government is making it easier for minor changes to be made to a building consent so building a home is easier and more affordable, Building and Construction Minister Chris Penk says. “The coalition Government is focused on making it easier and cheaper to build homes so we can ...
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 ...
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. ...
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 ...
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 ...
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. ...
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 ...
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 ...
Finance Minister Nicola Willis has confirmed the total dollar savings target from public sector cuts has been met, but the reductions have not been felt evenly across public agencies. Government departments were told to make savings set at 6.5 percent or 7.5 percent where headcount had grown by more than ...
The District Plan is a blueprint for a bigger, better Wellington, through tens of thousands of new apartments and townhouses and a new approach to urban growth. Joel MacManus lays out the vision. The process of putting together Wellington’s new District Plan has been long and excruciating. As a city, ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Leah Williams Veazey, ARC DECRA Research Fellow, University of Sydney DavideAngelini/Shutterstock In the 2007 film The Bucket List Jack Nicholson and Morgan Freeman play two main characters who respond to their terminal cancer diagnoses by rejecting experimental treatment. Instead, they go ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Mohan Singh, Professor of Agri-Food Biotechnology, School of Agriculture, Food and Ecosystem Sciences at the University of Melbourne., The University of Melbourne Tanja Esser/Shutterstock Australia’s vital agriculture sector will be hit hard by steadily rising global temperatures. Our climate is already ...
The Acumen Edelman Trust barometer reported that New Zealand’s political trust score now sits below the global average, a topic explored in a recent discussion paper by Maxim Institute. ...
Greenpeace Aotearoa executive director Russel Norman says, "The Fast-Track Bill is the most damaging piece of environmental legislation any Government has introduced in living memory. People are angry, and it’s time to march." ...
The school lunches programme has been retained – and will be extended to some preschoolers. So how is it going to cost $107 million less? To receive The Bulletin in full each weekday, sign up here. The minister with many hats David Seymour wears a number of hats, but this week ...
“Show us the bird,” I found myself muttering at times while reading Hard by the Cloud House by Peter Walker, a deeply thoughtful, often hilarious, at times rambling – but somehow delightfully so – search for the story of a big bird. But not just any bird: the bird. This ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Jack Marley, Environment + Energy Editor, UK edition DPVUE .images/Shutterstock Your home was probably designed for a climate that no longer exists. As long as humanity continues to burn fossil fuel, padding the heat-trapping blanket of gases in Earth’s atmosphere, the ...
A senior lawyer has filed a complaint about tikanga becoming a required law school module. Law lecturer Carwyn Jones explains what he’s getting wrong. “…the first law of Aotearoa, a law that served the needs of tangata whenua for a thousand years before the arrival of tauiwi.”– Ani Mikaere ...
In 2019, an Auckland woman woke up from surgery to find that she had undergone a treatment she didn’t consent to. She tells Alex Casey about her experience. From her very first period at the age of 14, Laura experienced “debilitating” levels of pain that forced her to withdraw from ...
Comment: Concerns about the state of the economy are creeping up to the top of firms’ list of challenges. That’s evident in both surveys and the tone of our recent client discussions. Skimming the past few weeks of eco-news, it’s not hard to see why. – Retail card spending fell ...
Opinion: Could former co-leader James Shaw still make a difference to working with National? The post How the Greens could be contenders appeared first on Newsroom. ...
Opinion: What if we got rid of our existing drug laws and replaced them with a new law that legalised and carefully regulated all psychoactive substances, from cannabis to MDMA, methamphetamine and LSD to magic mushrooms? And which also included legal drugs such as alcohol and nicotine. “Wow,” you might ...
In the gloom following director-general Al Morrison’s job cuts in 2013, the Department of Conservation restructured its operations arm. Eleven conservancy districts were whittled into six new “conservation delivery” regions, under which the Rēkohu/Wharekauri/Chatham Islands area, comprising 40 scattered islands more than 800km east of Christchurch, was tethered to the ...
One of th e country’s top litigation lawyers says New Zealand is seeing a lift in court action between companies. Chapman Tripp partner Justin Graham, who oversees a team of around 80 litigation specialists, says the courts are now so log-jammed that it’s taking over two years to get cases ...
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Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Michelle Grattan, Professorial Fellow, University of Canberra The Albanese government is talking up the crucial role of gas as a transition fuel “through to 2050 and beyond”. In a gas strategy to be released on Thursday, the government envisages the fuel’s ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Michelle Grattan, Professorial Fellow, University of Canberra Next week the government will again next try to get its legislation through to deal with non-citizens who won’t cooperate with efforts to deport them. The bill, which the opposition and crossbench refused to rush ...
A long-term project that will set out an alternative vision for Aotearoa that looks beyond the narrow confines of the policy straight jacket adopted by successive governments. ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Bree Hurst, Associate Professor, Faculty of Business and Law, QUT, Queensland University of Technology TK Kurikawa/Shutterstock A much-awaited report into Coles and Woolworths has found what many customers have long believed – Australia’s big supermarkets engage in price gouging. What started ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Daniel Ghezelbash, Associate Professor and Deputy Director, Kaldor Centre for International Refugee Law, UNSW Law & Justice, UNSW Sydney The Albanese government wanted to avoid an inquiry into its migration amendment bill. The report, handed down yesterday by a senate committee that ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Joo-Cheong Tham, Professor, Melbourne Law School, The University of Melbourne Lobbying is at the heart of government. Who has access to and influence over key government officials shapes the decisions governments make – and how they make them. The ability to influence ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Myfany Turpin, Associate Professor, Ethnomusicology, Linguistics and Ethnobiology, University of Sydney The act representing Australia at this year’s Eurovision contest has sadly not qualified for the grand final. Yet for Zaachariaha Fielding and Michael Ross, the duo that makes up Electric Fields, ...
In announcing changes to the school lunches programme, David Seymour said kids would no longer be served ‘woke’ foods. To clear up any confusion, The Spinoff has compiled a guide to the wokeness levels of some common food items. Apple = NOT WOKE Avocado = WOKE Avocado, smashed = EVEN ...
The Minister Responsible for GCSB and the Inspector-General of Intelligence and Security have been notified of this review, and have been provided a finalised Terms of Reference. ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Minglu Chen, Senior Lecturer, Government and International Relations, University of Sydney Robert Way/Shutterstock As the past few years have illustrated so clearly, the Australia-China relationship is complicated. As such, it is crucial for Australians to develop a more nuanced understanding of ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Mariana Campbell, Research Lecturer, Conservation, Charles Darwin University Marilyn Connell Australian freshwater turtles are facing an alarming trend. Almost half of these species are listed as vulnerable, endangered or critically endangered. The Mary River turtle (Elusor macrurus) is one of Australia’s ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Debbie Passey, Digital Health Research Fellow, The University of Melbourne Algorithms have become integral to our lives. From social media apps to Netflix, algorithms learn your preferences and prioritise the content you are shown. Google Maps and artificial intelligence are nothing without ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Josephine Barbaro, Associate Professor, Principal Research Fellow, Psychologist, La Trobe University Unsplash We’ve come a long way in terms of understanding that everyone thinks, interacts and experiences the world differently. In the past, autistic people, people with attention deficit hyperactive disorder ...
PNG Post-Courier Papua New Guinea’s deputy opposition leader James Nomane has accused the government of “reckless economic management” that has forced devaluation to manage loan repayments in foreign currency and placate the International Monetary Fund (IMF). Prime Minister James Marape “must stop lying to the people of Papua New Guinea”, ...
Welcome to The Spinoff Bookseller Confessional, in which we get to know Aotearoa’s booksellers. This week: Jane Arthur, author of Brown Bird, and former bookseller at Good Books.The book I wish I’d writtenI have been working on not comparing myself to others. On accepting that what I can ...
The final decision on the Wellington District Plan makes it official: High-density housing is legal across most of Wellington. Housing minister Chris Bishop has announced his decision on the Wellington District Plan, approving a series of amendments to radically upzone most of Wellington, allowing tens of thousands of new townhouses ...
Analysis by Dr Bryce Edwards – Democracy Project (https://democracyproject.nz)Political scientist, Dr Bryce Edwards. “Follow the money” is the classic directive to journalists trying to understand where power and influence lie in society. In terms of uncovering who influences various New Zealand political parties and governments, it therefore pays to ...
RNZ News As Israel presses ahead with strikes in Rafah and seizing the Rafah crossing from Egypt, aid agencies are sounding the alarm of a “catastrophic humanitarian situation”. Rafah was “significant” because it was the only part in Gaza that had not been terribly damaged by the conflict, United Nations ...
With funding set to be scrapped for the Hamilton-Auckland commuter train, Te Huia enthusiast Georgie Dansey argues for it to be thrown a lifeline. It’s 5.45am and the chain of my crappy old bike falls off slugging up the one hill in Hamilton. I contemplate yeeting the bike into the ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Anna Cooke, Honorary Fellow, School of the Environment, The University of Queensland We feel ecological grief when we lose places, species or ecosystems we value and love. These losses are a growing threat to mental health and wellbeing globally. We all see ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Shauna Brail, Associate Professor, Institute for Management & Innovation, University of Toronto A shift to hybrid and remote work continues to affect worker presence in Toronto’s downtown.(Shutterstock) Downtown Toronto, the core of Canada’s largest city, continues to reel from the lingering ...
Responding to an Auditor-General's report slamming failures in the administration of the 2023 General Election, Taxpayers’ Union Policy and Public Affairs Manager, James Ross, said: ...
Productivity apps now make up a big chunk of the software market. But do they work? And why do they all have AI integrations?Despite being firmly on the record as a physical planner fan, I sometimes dream of something better than my pretty diary and its scrawled, ugly, interior ...
The Taxpayers’ Union says the Beehive need to lead by example, following reports of more than $50,000 spent upgrading video conferencing equipment and furniture in the Prime Minister’s office. Taxpayers’ Union Campaign Manager, Connor Molloy, ...
An objective list of the 50 most powerful people in New Zealand, as judged by the Spinoff Editorial Board. It’s power list season, baby, and we want in on the action. Sure, there’s the rich list and the powerful “c-suite” list and the young people with power (hmmm) but here, ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Thalia Anthony, Professor of Law, University of Technology Sydney ShutterstockThis article contains information on deaths in custody and the names of deceased people, and describes ongoing colonial violence towards Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. First Nations people in Australia ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Alex Simpson, Senior Lecturer in Criminology, Macquarie University Netflix Baby Reindeer’s phenomenal success has much to do with its writer and lead, Richard Gadd, who plays Donny in a tender semi-autobiographical account of sexual abuse, harassment and stalking. Gadd’s story has ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Clare Collins, Laureate Professor in Nutrition and Dietetics, University of Newcastle KarolinaGrabowska/Pexels If you didn’t have food allergies as a child, is it possible to develop them as an adult? The short answer is yes. But the reasons why are much ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Paul Moon, Professor of History, Auckland University of Technology Ans Westra, self-portrait, c. 1963. National Library ref AWM-0705-F They try but invariably fail – those writers who believe they are capable of encapsulating in prose or verse the essence of ...
Stewart Sowman-Lund looks at the growing concern around the world in this extract from The Bulletin. To receive The Bulletin in full each weekday, sign up here. What’s all this? When Covid-19 arrived on our shores in early 2020, some argued we were too slow, or crucially, ill-prepared for a pandemic. So ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Franco Montalto, Professor of Civil, Architectural and Environmental Engineering and Director, Sustainable Water Resource Engineering Laboratory, Drexel University Water runs into a storm drain in a Los Angeles alley on Aug. 19, 2023, during Tropical Storm Hilary.Citizen of the Planet/Universal Images ...
What can be done about the closure of the Cadbury factory in Dunedin?
Are we really going to allow around 350 skilled staff and a iconic production plant go to waste?
It’s been reported that globally, the Dunedin factory is one of the best-performing operations in the Mondelez family.
Cadbury/Mondelez acknowledge workers at the plant are among the best performing and if it weren’t for their commitment, dedication and outstanding performance, the factory might have closed some time ago.
On top of that, Dunedin has a high quality local milk supply and a port with easy access to international markets facilitating exports.
The Dunedin factory has also been reported as being a pretty profitable business.
Figures from 2015 showed the company reported a profit of $9 million.
Therefore, there is a potential opportunity here.
Interest from Whittaker’s has been sought, but unfortunately Whittaker’s ruled out any interest in buying Cadbury’s Dunedin factory.
However, at this stage, there’s still hope (from the consultation process) the proposal to close the plant will be dropped.
Otago-Southland Employers Association is strongly advocating for Cadbury/Mondelez to retain the factory in Dunedin.
Meanwhile, Otago Chamber of Commerce chief executive Dougal McGowan wasted no time (in an already-scheduled meeting with Central Otago Mayor) trying to find jobs for the Cadbury workers. Pledging the total support of the Chamber to any task-force established to find a way of supporting the workers.
Critical of the statements put out by politicians immediately after the Cadbury/Mondelez announcement, Mr McGowan said it was important MPs got involved in discussions about the future of the plant’s employees.
Failing Cadbury/Mondelez dropping the proposal, can the plant and jobs be saved?
Well, there are numerous possibilities.
Although Whittaker’s declined to show interest, there still could be other local confectionery producers looking to expand, thus be interested in purchasing the plant.
There could be local private investors seeking an opportunity. Or local investment funds such as NZ Super, ACC etc…
Central Government, Dunedin Council or both could consider investing. Ranging from a full out purchase of the plant down to facilitating a low interest loan to a local interested party.
A public crowd-funding project.
The Union could assist employees to form a cooperative to purchase the plant, perhaps with the assistance of local or central Government.
Offshore interest could be sought.
At the end of the day we have a fully staffed plant with export potential ready to go, therefore, it’s in the country’s best interest to ensure this plant continues to be commercially viable and remains in Dunedin.
PS
There is talk of boycotting Cadbury/Mondelez.
Workers are asking that we don’t.
They don’t want to jeopardise any chance of the company remaining.
The call to not boycott Cadbury sounds silly to me. So if Cadbury managed to magically double sales would there be any more chance of them staying? I doubt it. Trying to mind read and please an ugly profit driven corporate is not a good idea in my opinion.
http://www.newshub.co.nz/home/money/2017/02/cadbury-boycott-will-hurt-employees-union.html
There is nothing stopping you mortgaging your house and putting in an offer if you think it is such a good investment
inspider
Noticed since you started dropping in that you tend to make puerile comments. Nothing to add to the discussion, instead some half-arsed sneer. Why bother I ask? You will get lonely and confused with all these thinking people outdistancing you. Go home Red Riding Hood before you get lost. Mortgage your own house and invest in something, perhaps some up-to-date tertiary education.
Personally, I don’t have the time to commit to such a venture.
Nevertheless, it’s been reported Cadbury workers are gaining a lot of public support. Therefore, it would be interesting to see if the NZ public would be willing to support them by taking a punt and fiscally invest through an online crowd funding scheme.
I put up a comment about Cadbury’s workers and it went down to #15 somehow.
All about co-ops – they are getting a push now especially smaller ones, and could have something to offer Dunedin.
This is the point at which it would be useful to have a government that gave a shit. The factory remains profitable despite the best efforts of Mondelez to make crap chocolate that’s inferior to the competition, so a government that understood its job would make sure it stayed running, whether by putting up money for the workers to take it over as a cooperative, or just making it a publicly-owned asset until there’s a private buyer for it. Too bad we don’t have a government worth the name.
“This is the point at which it would be useful to have a government that gave a shit”
Indeed.
“The factory remains profitable despite the best efforts of Mondelez to make crap chocolate that’s inferior to the competition”
Imagine the potential improving the product would have. Organic may be the way to go?
Would the parent company be willing to franchise the name and leave the local operation here – not owned by them but making Cadbury branded products? You get the feeling that NZ is seen as a trading nuisance.
That way we could have a locally owned co-operative and either fundraise for that – or make some other local financial arrangements.
Makes a lie of the “we need crap wages” doesn’t it. Lots of Aussie made products here despite there much higher wage structure.
Not sure if Cadbury/Mondelez are interested in franchising. But it is something that could be put to them.
They are however considering the potential of continuing to produce their local products (Pineapple Lumps, Jaffas, etc) here. The current plant would be best suited to continue on that production, thus could be a contract a new owner could potentially secure.
There have been alternative lookalike products in the market for years. Check Planet Candy at the warehouse
Why do we need to keep the name?
It’s profitable when run by one of the world’s largest companies, producing products with years of brand marketing behind them and a sophisticated distribution system that gets them to market across NZ, Australia and beyond.
That’s no guarantee it would be successful under a new owner. What does the government know about chocolate marketing that makes it sensible to run it? Maybe we should encourage it to step in and save the tattoo parlour and hairdresser in my neighbourhood that are closing down?
“It’s profitable when run by one of the world’s largest companies…”
Yes, yet they are considering laying off staff and moving production offshore.
While brand marketing and distribution networks are important, a fundamental behind any company is its people (staff). The Dunedin factory is one of the best-performing operations in the Mondelez family.
Of course there is no guarantee it would be successful under a new owner, but having such an outstanding production team already in place reduces the risk, thus improves the odds.
“What does the government know about chocolate marketing that makes it sensible to run it? “
They would secure the skill and expertise required as is generally done.
The local tattoo parlour and hairdresser closing down in your area don’t have such a large impact on the economy, thus are no serious comparison.
Weird. I’m pretty sure that the Chamber of Commerce is one of the main proponents of keeping government out of business.
That would probably be the best option. Set it up as an independent, self-owned* business that’s run by the people who work there.
* Not owned by either the government, shareholders or the workers. It would be a legal entity with the workers listed as its directors. No, I don’t know the law – this is just how I think all businesses should be.
“Weird. I’m pretty sure that the Chamber of Commerce is one of the main proponents of keeping government out of business.”
An indication of the severity perhaps? Apparently they are Dunedin’s 4th largest employer.
The company’s annual expenditure into the local economy will also be a significant loss, impacting a number of local businesses.
Nope. Whenever business feels the pinch they reach out for government handouts real fast. It seems to be a general hypocrisy of the business community.
“Nope. Whenever business feels the pinch they reach out for government handouts real fast. It seems to be a general hypocrisy of the business community.”
Which is what I meant about the severity. Other businesses will be impacted by the plant’s closure.
Yes, they will be impacted but that’s just the free-market in action – just like they’ve been demanding for centuries.
Genuine questions,
Do we know why Cadbury/Mondelez plan to close the plant?
Have they shown any inclination to sell it as a going concern?
A.
“Do we know why Cadbury/Mondelez plan to close the plant?”
Apparently, the vast majority of their product is exported to Australia and they believe they have the capacity to produce their product there, thus cutting shipping costs etc…
As for selling it as a going concern, as far as I’m aware no final decision has been made. They are currently seeking feedback through their consultation process. However, they have stated they recognise the significance of the site, thus are hopeful of finding a buyer that will use it in a way that supports the local community and economy.
It’s sad for Dunedin culturally, and it’s a huge indictment of the company that they’d throw those workers to the wolves for some extra dosh. I’m not sure that saving the company is the way to go, but buying up the plant and supporting the existing workers to run it co-operatively is a great idea.
Having said that chocolate is pretty dirty business. Not sure it would be possible to run a large chocolate making business in NZ ethically. Maybe.
The TOP education policy is out. As an ex teacher I think it is the best policy on offer.
Why?
Why? Because it is child/teacher focussed and does away with useless on going assessments a la Parata. It brings in free ece and does away with Charter schools.
It promotes egalitarianism and puts more into producing better (and trusted) teachers – you know ,the ones who know what the children need.
Nothing on Tertiary as such, they say ece has a better return on investment, and that Tertiary needs an overhaul first.
Nothing on TOP’s website!?
The phoney war is nearly over.
“The odds of an early collapse of EU-UK Brexit negotiations are shortening by the day. And that’s before talks have started. Usually circumspect analysts have concluded that Theresa May is likely to flounce out in a huff. Prime candidate for the catalyst that spurs an almighty row is a bill for €60 billion that Brussels is reported to be drawing up: the amount that Britain owes for pension liabilities and budgeted spending commitments.”
http://www.irishtimes.com/business/economy/chris-johns-it-won-t-be-pretty-when-the-brexit-wheels-come-off-1.2979264
She actually has control over the negotiations. She signalled this at the outset, when she said no deal would be better than a bad deal.
At the end of two years the UK can simply leave with no further liabilities, and just revert to the WTO rules. It is after all the basis that New Zealand, the US, Japan and in fact most of the world trades with the EU.
The EU will eventually work out they do not hold the strong cards, especially when a US/UK FTA is in the offing.
You know, the whole point of the WTO and GATT before it was so that there weren’t, and wasn’t any need for, bilateral trade agreements.
Modern bilateral trade agreements are indicative of the failure of the WTO and the WTO was set up because of the previous failure of bilateral trade agreements.
Why do we keep repeating the same mistakes when we know that they don’t work?
Obviously FTA’ are better than GATT/WTO, but the reality is that a huge amount of trade still occurs under GATT/WTO.
For instance all of NZ’s trade with the US occurs under GATT/WTO.
So while it would be better if there was some form of FTA between the UK and the EU, the UK will still be able to trade with the EU under GATT/WTO, especially in industrial goods. Most of these have very low tariffs under the GATT rules, often zero.
The negotiating edge that May has is that she has a US/UK FTA in the wings. This could easily be extended to Australia, Canada and NZ (Singapore as well). This is the same size market as the EU.
The EU may well decide it needs some form of FTA with the UK to hold onto markets – all those German cars! It will need to be a deal that the UK sees as fair.
That’s an article of faith, not reality.
They don’t work because they lock countries into deals that are actually bad for them. Force them into doing trade that they don’t want to do.
So, again: Why do we keep repeating the same mistakes when we know that they don’t work?
Free trade in industrial goods has been one of the greatest engines of growth since WW2. For the opposite result try out the Smoot Hawley Act. It helped deepen the 1930’s recession.
But hey thats your view, you are welcome to it.
the Smoot Hawley Act was an accelerator for the british innovation era eg
stereophonic sound ,television.radar, computers,jet engines,
Globally it was the golden age for physics and innovation,and as Rutherford said as we have little or no money we will have to think.
Where did I say anything against free-trade?
I was asking why we keep doing stupid things like the WTO and bilateral trade agreements when they obviously don’t work.
A Brief History of International Trade Agreements
Far better for each individual nation to set standards as to where they will trade and where they won’t. Standards that ensure that each cost is properly accounted for and principles maintained.
None of this forced trade that we see from the WTO. No more nations saying that they will stop trade with us if we demand an inquiry as to why their goods aren’t up to the standards that they were advertised as.
Remove the bloody threats that the present system forces upon us.
Give us Fair trade , not Free trade.
Yep CER is a disaster.
Same for Hong Kong.
Don’t mention ASEAN. What’s it ever done for us.
South Korea. Disaster, a real dog.
Thailand? Worse than a phone call with the Australian PM.
P4… Just as useless as udders on a cow.
As for Malaysia it just means more hijabs and students.
And don’t mention China. It’s not worth the $20 billion.
Yes, We need to stop repeating these errors
Consider this:
For the last several years we’ve had a trade deficit with China. Despite this the NZ$ is still worth more on the forex than the Chinese yuan. Why is this?
The NZ$ should be dropping against the yuan but it isn’t. This is because China keeps decreasing the value of the yuan every time that the global economy goes into recession and their exports start to decrease. Such actions used to be called marcantalism and beggar thy neighbour economics.
So, yes, we have an FTA with China – we don’t have free-trade.
The EU is a lot more than a Bilateral Trade Agreement.
It’s existance arose from a political desire to bring European countries together and to stop the incessat wars. That has been a success.
The EU has Four Fredoms at the heart of its constitution.
Freedom of Movememt of Workers
Freedom of Movement of goods and services
Freedom of Capital
Freedom to establish and provide services.
May and her light-weight team want to ignore the EU as a holistic entity. That is at the heart of their failure.
And if they had left it at the four freedoms, Britain would probably have voted to stay in. Instead the eurocrats tried to build a supra state.
Not too much of a stretch for CER to expand to common external tariffs.
And their application of those four things brought about the collapse of the EU and probably more wars as well.
That really is how bad its failed.
Greece wasn’t given freedom of capital. It should have defaulted but the rest of Europe insisted that they pay the debts that they couldn’t.
And that is just another reason why each nation should have its own currency.
Looks like there will be an annoucement today from Maori and Mana Parties.
They look set to make an ‘agreement’
What are you doing Hone? I’m not sure that Maori/Mana voters will be happy about it.
Cinny, this deal has been in the wind for a long time and is the only sensible way for them to go, otherwise they could well be wiped out (as Labour wants) .I would like to see Hone in parliament again… he speaks truth to power better than anyone else in that cosy little den of neolibs.
I really like Hone, have admired him for a long time. But I’m a bit disappointed.
Just like you I would love to see him in Parliament again, for the same reasons “he speaks truth to power better than anyone else in that cosy little den of neolibs.”
However I just don’t trust the Maori Party after cuddling up with the Nat’s for so long.
Mind you, it is the year of great change, so anything could happen. Maori Party may not cuddle up to National ever again.
Hone will NEVER go with the Nats so it may well create a one seat overhang in favour of the Labour-Green bloc which would be excellent..
It’s sure going to be interesting, but I really feel that Kelvin is the better MP.
The voters no doubt have experienced both of them as MP’s so they will know for sure what’s best for them.
hi cinny,
it just got a little less straight forward/business as usual; the greens are standing a candidate in ttt.
part of the mou?
Choice is good. MMP for the win, voters will decide. Greens looking for the Party vote in TTT, awesome, educate the people.
If I were to vote in that electorate, I’d vote for Kelvin, best person for the job. Will be an exciting election this year, that’s for sure.
interesting, my take, with mmp in mind, would be to vote for hone, then party vote green or labour.
get two good mps representing the area.
reasoning that kelvin gets in on the list.
That makes sense, but to add more to the daydream, cause am liking the idea of both of them in house.
Labour takes out the rest of the Maori seats, Maori party doesn’t reach the threshold and bye to them.
There’s some unusual political comment at the Herald of late (yesterday’s comments on the poll, for instance), and this is an example of this – I don’t think it’s a valid assumption to assume that most of Te Hira Paenga’s votes would go to Hone Harawira, for instance.
(It’s also probably not a good idea to assume that most of Annette Sykes’ votes would go to Te Ururoa Flavell either)
Oh good, an actual leftie on today’s RNZ “from the left and right” spot this morning at 11.05am-ish.
Sue Bradford tweeted:
I can’t remember when I last listened to that slot. I’ll try to listen to it today.
Thanks will have to tune in for that.
@ Carolyn
That is unfair. Stephen Mills has been excellent in the slot.
Who we don’t need there is Mr. Iagreewithmathew.
Ah private prisons – stupid idea, just more information why. Also enjoyable to watch.
http://www.trutv.com/shows/adam-ruins-everything/videos/the-shocking-way-private-prisons-make-money.html
Headline is:
Stoned driver crashed into woman at 200km/h in New South Wales
Actual information is:
We don’t know if he was stoned or not when the crash happened but we do know that he has mental health issues.
Talk about misreporting.
Interestingly enough, it was this type of misreporting that launched the War on Drugs. Of course, back then they would have gone heavy on the racism as well.
Did a stoned driver crash a into woman at 200km/h in New South Wales?
In the Trump age we like to tell it like it is.
Bearded white male crashes into a woman at 200km/h.
Blue-eyed blond crashes into a woman at 200km/h,
P-Plater crashes into a woman at 200km/h,
Skateboarding hitchhiker crashes into a women at 200km/h,
Man with undiagnosed schizophrenia was thought to be having a psychotic episode when he crashed into a woman at 200km/h.
All of these statements are true. But the last reports the most pertinent information to give an indication of that particular situation.
As any child knows, selective reporting of true facts often can give a false impression of what the whole truth is.
And what condition was the woman in after all that? A very glaring example of lack of empathy for one another, and concentration on correct reporting of cause. The victim is a woman, end of interest.
How quickly the msm divert their attention away from Flynn, Trump and his aides lying about their communications with Moscow ….. towards a stupid story about Sweden
Bannon is laughing his socks off
Had the poll come out last night with good news for National Kiwiblog would have been instantly in action with big positive headlines and lots of blather.
And now a dweeby post not being clear and upfront about yesterdays results!
This is interesting, seems kiwis don’t like the idea of one corporate media outlet controlling all the news.
https://www.horizonpoll.co.nz/page/451/disbelief-d
WTF? This is obscene.
“New Zealand’s highest-paid public servant received a 36 per cent pay increase against the objections of Prime Minister Bill English and the State Services Commission (SSC).
Documents obtained under the Official Information Act show NZ Super Fund chief executive Adrian Orr received the pay rise last year on the back of a 22 per cent salary hike only two years earlier, with his annual pay packet now over $1 million.”
Well it turns out that English has some explaining to do, can he not control his minions?
“Board members are appointed by the Governor-General on the recommendation of the Minister of Finance. The Minister’s recommendation follows nominations from a committee, independent of the Guardians, which is established by the Minister.”
Why I say that we need to put a cap on the pay of public servants. It’s not in our best interests to make them rich while they make us poor.
Horizon poll comments on merger proposed for media makes interesting reading.
Kim Dotcom will be on with J Campbell in a minute, re a ruling that there is no Copyright Law to justify the original arrest or the original charges.
But is liable for fraud deportation. Kim reckons it is a major win for him.
Tell him: “he’s dreaming!”
To update that Kiwiblog does now cover the latest poll. In a most pointedly down in the mouth, downmarket way.
Had things been positive there would have been orgasmic splurges last night followed by the metaphorical, cigarette today, with cooly blown smoke rings. Regardless of remarks directed at my reaction, I like displays of childish petulance by the spited.
Kiwiblog has been doing less in the way of commentary on polls since Late Last year. this is no different. Maybe he felt he was giving away his income as a pollster.
co ops might be the idea.
https://nz.coop/
Starting a Co-op
Looking to build an enterprise that’s freely established by a group that provides mutual benefits? Here, NZ Co-op can show you how to start a Co-op and how to benefit from the activities of the enterprise, not just from primarily investments.
Since taking on the CEO role at Cooperative Business NZ in April 2016, Craig Presland has received many requests for assistance with setting up new co-operatives. With this in mind, Craig has produced a User Guide for all those considering whether to set up, or otherwise to join, a co-operative. In this document we answer the following questions:
Start Up User Guide for new co-ops, mutuals and societies
How do we progress from a group of individuals with an idea, to forming and registering a company, to drafting a constitution and business plan, to holding our first general meeting, to holding our first AGM 12 months later?
What is a co-operative and how does this vary from standard companies (publicly and privately owned), mutual companies, incorporated societies, building societies, industrial and provident societies, credit unions etc.
What is the history of co-operatives in NZ, and globally, and what other NZ co-operatives are there?
Is the co-operative business model the right one for us?
Which type of co-operative is best for us?
How do we set up a co-operative including best practice governance?
Is our idea business-worthy?
This Start-Up User Guide provides a good level of information relevant also to established co-operatives.
Let’s Get Started Manual 2017
https://nz.coop/start-user-guide-new-co-operatives/
An informative link. Thanks for posting.
I feel so sorry for the poor downtrodden predominantly white trash “Deplorables”. Now they gotta deal with the fact they gave their all to a crazy man.
http://www.nzherald.co.nz/world/news/article.cfm?c_id=2&objectid=11804361