Buy Kiwi Made is not the same as buy China Made

Tariana Turia, Co-leader of the Maori Party

Revelations today that the Government has pressured the Greens into including goods that are “not necessarily made in New Zealand” makes an absolute mockery of the Kiwi Made campaign said Tariana Turia today. 

Three weeks ago, Sue Bradford, told the EPMU National Conference that she had been asked to consider the possibility of  ‘Icebreaker’ clothing company being included in Buy Kiwi Made. 

She said at that conference:

“Frankly I cannot agree to do this.  I feel that this would defeat the whole purpose of the campaign.  I would be letting Rod Donald down, I would be letting the Green Party down, I would be letting New Zealand manufacturers down….”

“Frankly Sue, we couldn’t have put it better ourselves” said Tariana Turia.  "The news this morning that the Greens have been asked to ‘modify’ their scheme so that is it clear that goods designed, but not necessarily made in Aotearoa are covered, is shattering". 

“I remember earlier this year, Auckland Chamber of Commerce Chief Executive, Michael Barnett,  saying ‘the China effect’ probably cost this nation 1500 jobs last year”.

“It seems that Labour is breathing down the Green’s throats, to lobby for local companies like Icebreaker Clothing - an adventure wear exporter which has moved part of its business offshore to China.  Even more shocking is the fact that it appears the Greens will compromise their principles in this way".

“What’s the good of a flash Kiwi Made brand if factory workers are being laid off when the firm moves to low wage Asian economies?” asked Mrs Turia.  “New Zealand jobs are under threat - and Maori workers will be first to go”.

“I’ve got a new suggestion for the Greens” said Mrs Turia.  “They could repackage the programme as MOA:  Made Outside of Aotearoa”.

“One of our sayings is ‘mate a Moa’ - literally dead like the Moa.  The decision to ‘clarify’ Kiwimade to include companies that make their products outside of Aotearoa will be the death knell for this brand; it will have disastrous impacts on our manufacturing sector, and real jobs will go”.

“The $11 million set aside for Kiwi Made might be better diverted into poverty stricken families living in Aotearoa, rather than propping up trade in China” said Mrs Turia.

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