Katherine Rich MP
National Party Economic Development Spokeswoman

10 October 2006

Govt plans yet another marketing campaign

Trevor Mallard should front up and reveal the details of his 'NZ Inc' marketing campaign for Kiwi firms which make their products overseas, says National Party Economic Development spokeswoman Katherine Rich.

The Government's spokeswoman for Buy NZ Made, Green MP Sue Bradford, let slip in news reports today that the Government is planning a broader 'NZ Inc' marketing campaign to cover firms that make their products overseas.

"It sounds a lot like a bolt-on ad campaign to the Buy New Zealand project agreed between Helen Clark and the Greens after the last election," says Mrs Rich.

"It is no surprise negotiations failed. Labour's idea that you could argue that something made in China could be included in a Buy NZ Made campaign was just plain bizarre.

"Helen Clark has made it clear in public statements that she wanted Kiwi companies that don't manufacture in New Zealand to be included in the Buy NZ campaign.

"She was rolled by the Greens and so now the taxpayer has to front up with yet more money for another marketing campaign that is more about Helen Clark saving face than common sense.

"Given the public's obvious suspicion about taxpayer-funded advertising, Trevor Mallard must now explain how much this new campaign will cost, when it will start, and detail precisely what it hopes to achieve."

ENDS

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