Poodles of the Pacific

Poodles of the Pacific

“We are becoming the Poodles of the Pacific in our quest for lowest-price short-term decision-making”, says Textiles NZ CEO Elizabeth Tennet.

“Government procurement decisions based on lowest-price that spurn the benefits of New Zealand jobs and New Zealand businesses are destructive and short-term”.

Textiles NZ supports the call for more discussion on the role of government procurement decisions and the affect they have on Kiwi businesses and jobs.

“Since the Recession both the US and Australia have required their Government procurement officials to buy locally-made product to protect their economy and jobs.

“Recently in Australia a $13.6 million dollar contract to manufacture Australian Defence Force uniforms using Chinese-made fabric was overturned to ensure all components are locally-made. That government realised that aside from putting at risk the jobs of 400 Victorian textile workers, exporting Australian military fabric technology to offshore manufacturers could put Australian soldiers at risk”.

“Yet in New Zealand we don’t value our assets and our jobs”, says Ms Tennet. “The debate over the sale of prime New Zealand dairy land to foreigners is another example.

“The fastest growing economy in the world has proven you can be a member of the global market-place, but still protect your asset-base. Foreigners are prohibited from buying land in China, yet business and investment is flocking there.

“New Zealand should stop rolling over to have its tummy scratched like a poodle”.

ENDS

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