The NZ asset sales program

Radio NZ does it again – put Labour/Greens on the backfoot while the print media ignores the story

Labour denies aiming to ruin MRP float

Labour deputy leader Grant Robertson has denied the party's plan to set up a single purchaser for power is intended to spook investors in the Mighty River Power float.

Radio NZ,

23 April, 2013

The policy, announced by Labour and the Greens last week, forced the Government to temporarily halt the sale of shares.

Share sales resumed as of midnight on Monday, though shareholders have until 1 May to withdraw their application.

Mr Robertson told Morning Report that the timing of the policy announcement was designed to give New Zealanders 18 months notice of moves to relieve power prices, in the event of a change of Government.

Listen to more from Grant Robertson on Morning Report

The Government is not changing its estimate of how much money the partial sales will raise.

Finance Minister Bill English told Morning Report the estimate for the revenue from the sales remains at $5 - $7 billion.

For a slighly more informed (and balanced viewpoint) listen to the following segment – especially the interview with Geoff Bertram