1 Oct 2013

Referendum will show NZers don't want assets sold - Love

7:20 pm on 1 October 2013

Next month's referendum on the Government's asset sales programme will prove most New Zealanders don't want them sold, a prominent Maori leader says.

It took the Keep Our Assets petition organisers two attempt to gather enough signatures to force a referendum, with 327,000 eligible electors signing.

Prime Minister John Key, who has previously said a referendum would be a waste of money, says a postal vote will be held at a cost of about $9 million.

Te Atiawa kaumatua Peter Love, who is angry about the asset sales plans, says Mr Key is loose with money when he wants to be.

He says the referendum is money well spent, and a postal vote will get a huge participation, he says.

Voting opens on 22 November for three weeks.