Greens offer practical support to NZ producers
Green Media Release
20 July 2007
Buying New Zealand made products and services is a very practical way that we can all support New Zealand producers
during this time of high dollar difficulties. That’s what the Green-initiated Buy Kiwi Made media campaign launched
today is all about, says Green Party Co-Leader Russel Norman.
“The high dollar is making life difficult for New Zealand producers. One way to support them is to buy products and
services that are made here, and the Buy Kiwi Made campaign will encourage people to do just that,” says Dr Norman, also
Greens’ Economics Spokesperson.
“While other parties bicker over who is to blame for the high dollar, the Greens get on with the job of trying to make a
practical difference via this initiative, which was a key gain for the Green Party in its cooperation agreement with the
Government after the last election.
“There are also important issues of environmental sustainability, workers rights and human rights surrounding this
campaign. By buying products from New Zealand you know that they were made under reasonable, if imperfect,
environmental, labour and human rights standards.
"Kiwi manufacturers struggle to survive against unfair competition from goods produced by foreign workers paid less than
the cost of living and made to work in sub-standard or even slave-labour conditions with poor environmental standards.
“The Government’s mindless support for a trade deal with China, and its resolute opposition to mandatory country of
origin labelling of food, only makes it harder for New Zealand producers. This initiative is aimed to even up the
playing field a little.”
ENDS