KEY POINTS:
Here is an earlier latest selection of Your Views:
Nayan Billimoria
I am a shareholder of auckland airport and resident in Auckland. I believe the airport should not be in controlling hands of an overseas entity. The airport is a strategic asset not just to Auckland but to NZ. The bid sounds very attractive for shareholders but it isn't for me. There is much potential in the airport that has not been realised eg second runway, airport hotels etc. If realised, the benefits will predominantly flow overseas rather than to local shareholders including the councils. I am totally opposed to the deal. Hope the councils sees this.
Jenny (Te Puke)
No. The airport is a strategic asset which should remain in NZ ownership. Too much has been sold to off-shore owners. The company is not in need of funds. There is no reason to sell! We own a significant shareholding, and will be voting no in November.
Amy
It's appalling that there should be any question of selling what are strategic defence assets, in today's world, to any foreign-owned company, let alone one containing those from the aggressive, anti-the West Muslim community.Are those proposing this fools or knaves - or just pig-ignorant?
AKG, Auckland
I totally disagree with selling off a major asset to a foreign organisation. No matter how they try to dress it up - its all about money to them - they do not give a toss about Kiwi people and our interests! The Government should be helping to protect what belongs to Kiwis and not making it easy for outsiders to gain control of our assets! Controlling the destiny of this country should be in the hands of the people who live in this country, pay taxes and keep the place running not people who come here to make a quick buck out of us! Go Winston Peters and Barry Curtis - I completely back what you had to say on TVNZ this morning and you definitely have my support! Send Dubai Aerospace packing as quickly as possible!
PK
Absolutely not. It is the "gateway" to NZ and to see it under another countries ( or company based in another country ) control is unacceptable. We shouldn't be looking at selling shares, we should be looking at buying them back. It is a key strategic asset and should remain as such. Possibly not going to be one of the brightest decisions by our councils, but then, sometimes, they are good at that!
Jeff
Yes I think both councils should sell their shares and invest the money directly into public transport. A condition of the sale should be the new Airport company has to build three rail stations at domestic, international and Airport Oaks. Then the councils give the money from the sale of the shares to ARTA to build rail lines from Onehunga to the Airport, then through to Manukau and on to a new South Eastern line linking Botany, Howick and Pakuranga with Panmure. Oh and also they cannot oppose a new Airport at Whenuapai which all councils should then get behind and develop and this would solve the issue of the Airport being a monopoly and being in foreign ownership.
smash (Auckland
AIA does not look out for New Zealand. If this was the case then they wouldn't be charging ridiculous airport fees for Air New Zealand. Are we all forgetting the continual complaints coming out of another 'treasured' New Zealand company about this? AIA is detrimental to New Zealand tourism. If their fees were not so high I bet a number of airlines would either increase flights into Auckland or being flying to Auckland altogether. This would open the country up to more tourists as well as given all of us New Zealanders more options for overseas travel.Oh just imagine an Emirates flight AKL-LAX... No more shabby Air New Zealand, Qantas or United! Honestly, I don't know why everyone is getting all up-in-arms about a privately owned company that most people wouldn't normally give two hoots about anyway - well, unless of course they were complaining about the state of the airport's operations.
Alan Wilkinson
On principle I don't buy shares in businesses that rely on governments to maintain their de facto monopoly. That rules out most airlines, airports and telcos for a start. Otherwise you are for ever at the mercy of political whim and manipulation.Auckland Airport is a largely unregulated monopoly. If Dubai buys it there will potentially be political warfare between it and Air New Zealand, which is mostly government- owned at the moment. So long as it stays that way the Airport company will be constrained by the real threat of regulation if it goes too far. It's amusing that so many are happy to be ripped off by a locally-owned monopoly but not by an overseas-owned one. Frankly the ownership is irrelevant, managing the monopoly rights is what matters.
Digby
Auckland Int Airport is a magnificent asset that will always perform well as it is an absolute monopoly. I will never never understand why people sell prime investments that will always acheive outstanding results. Not a good way to become rich!
Observer
NZ Railways. Cost to taxpayers after Fay Richwhite's privatisation? $200M - to fix up dilapidated tracks/ signals. Air NZ? Cost to taxpayers to bail out? $850m (w/ special thanks due to Singapore Air, Brierley and Sir Selwyn C). Telecom? Cost to taxpayers/ economy of crappy telco and broadband? Ongoing. Yet to be quantified. Sale of Akl Airport to foreigners to milk dry and have taxpayers stump up again in 10 years? Priceless.p.s. Yes to the reader who mentioned Heathrow being owned by a Spanisah Company.Doesn't it show! Arrive at LHR and just wait for the delays to begin. Starting with a broken airbridge (T3) that has to be hand-cranked in to place. And as for the whinger who bemoans AKL airport? Sure it doesn't compare to Singapore or HKG or Incheon but I trust you've not travelled to US airports like LAX/JFK or even Melbourne/ Sydney or Brisbane - or the new Suvarnabhumi airport in BKK.I think AKL does a quite good job for a small country. In all the years I've used it I have never had a 1 hour queue to get through customs (even at Xmas-New Year. Sell key assets and you become tenants in your own country....sorry if that offends (and for the record I don't care whether it is Dubai or Australians buying, the answer is still an emphatic no.
Zarir
Keep New Zealand profits and assets at home.
Ammy (Auckland)
Auckland Airport is the gateway to our beautiful country and I strongly feel that its ownership and control should stay in the country,to share holders may be some free parking passes and some extra discount at shops could be provided.
Andrew
Well we sold Telecom and look at what a mess that is... sell the airport and watch as the cost to us goes skyward.
Smash (Auckland)
I hope Dubai Aerospace Enterprise is successful in their bid. Auckland Airport is an embarrassment to New Zealand. As a frequent traveller, I dread departing from Auckland and especially arriving. The airport lacks facilities and is generally unorganised at best. On numerous occasions it has taken me over an hour from off the plane to clearing customs and that is with priority baggage. This type of thing is unacceptable for a small airport. It is rather amusing that a reader mentioned security. If the bidder was Australia's Macquarie Airports, would you still be concerned about security? Or is this simply just another case of ignorance and misunderstanding? DAE is linked to the development of what will become the world's largest airport Dubai World International. This airport, capable of handling 150 million passengers, will have six runways running simultaneously and will be twice the size of Hong Kong Island. Given this, and the fact that Dubai Aerospace Enterprise runs the fantastic Dubai International, it is quite clear the 'Arabs' will be able to run an efficient and secure airport in little old New Zealand. Auckland needs to have a world class gateway for 2011. The best way to achieve this is for all the citizens of Auckland to get behind a sale of our shabby international airport.
David (Ashburton)
I control 65,000 shares in the company. Whilst the offer gives me a great gain I will not be accepting. There is only one way these shares can go. The company has an effective monopoly and owns very valuable property with ever increasing rents. These big boys do not buy to lose money. They think they can still make a bob at a $3.80 value. Too many good quality New Zealand companies have gone to foreigners. Not this one I hope. New Zealand investors need to get more savvy.
Peter Sefton
My view is that majority foreign ownership of any NZ infrastructure is ultimately negative for the NZ economy and the living standards of our people. The Airport Board should all be sacked for even considering such an offer. The law also needs to be changed immediately to prevent such "schemes of arrangement" which are just back-door takeovers being entered into. It should be aligned with the takeovers code requiring 90 per cent shareholder acceptance.
Te Kuiti
Of course we shouldn't be selling a key strategic asset like this to an overseas buyer. We have Kiwi Funds here in NZ who could at least keep it in New Zealand. ACC is one for an example. I understand they have billions invested overseas that could well be better invested in NZ. If overseas pension funds are eyeing these assets up then why are our NZ pensions funds so slow on the uptake. Ratepayers of Councils situated around the Airport should also be showing some concern.
Brownie (The Mount)
As a shareholder I think there is more to gain if the take over happened,but as a New Zealander I want to see it kept for New Zealand. Auckland and Manakau should keep their shares to stop any takeover.
Ian Morine
I absolutely do not object with foreign ownership of Auckland Airport. Why should we object?
A Spanish company owns Heathrow, an Australian domiciled company owns airports in Italy, and our very own NZX listed Infratil owns airports in Germany! What makes Auckland Airport any different?I certainly welcome foreign investment and expertise of a world class standard coming in and taking a partnership with local stakeholders. The Dubai based company will only add and enhance tourism and promote Auckland and NZ as a destination to airlines and operators the world over. Lets hope they can replicate what they have done for the Gulf states down here in little old NZ.
Norman (Manurewa)
We should definately not sell our airport shares. It is a one off monopoly and as such brings in major returns both to investors,Auckland,and N Z Government. Good on Sir B Curtis ,I will vote no deal to foreign investment as to many NZ Blue chip Companies are falling into foreign hands. While we are voting we should also vote on sacking the directors who are only interested in Lining their own pockets,and not looking at the future ie Rugby world cup in 2011 and all the supporters that will bring in to the country from all over the world and other sporting tournaments.
Dr B, overseas
I think this would be a huge mistake in the long run.Basic infrastructure for transportation, power, water, and similar services should never be offshored, even if it does make shareholders a bit of lucre in the short term. Companies are in business to make money for their shareholders, and if those shareholders aren't local, they certainly won't have any second thoughts about raising prices that will adversely affect all those who wish to travel to and from NZ if it can make the stock price go higher. Really need the cash? Fine, let overseas investors have a non-voting, dividend paying stock, or get the Overseas Investments Office to limit overseas ownership to 49 per cent. But don't let them take control away from New Zealand.
Le Fox
Under no circumstances should any sea or air port into your own country be sold off to foreign ownership, as there are far too many security risks, let alone possible future financial risks at stake.Your country could literally be held to ransom.Why sell off a cash cow? Keep these assets within your own reach where you can keep an eye on them.
Michelle Johnson
At the end of the day, it comes down to the usual factors... "money", "money" & "money. I don't blame the shareholders, just disappointed, that yet another "jewel in New Zealand's crown" is about to be plucked!
Gabby from Auckland, concerned citizen
Our Airport is our national heritage and one of the major gateways to our beautiful God's own country. I feel it is vital for New Zealand to keep such assets as this within ownership of the people of Aotearoa.
Margaret ( Manukau)
My comment is simple and clear to the question " No. "at makes me sick is not the Dubai company who wants to buy, But those people with power in AIAL yet choose to stand behind and low to support the sale.
Andrew
AIA is a privately owned business and as such should be sold to whomever the shareholders approve, and if that is offshore then so be it, its no one elses business but the owners of AIA, especially interfering politicians. If New Zealanders dont approve then buy it - apparently its for sale! /span>
Prema
Dubai Companies were trying to buy US ports and if I am not mistaken one of the shipping line too. Due to resistance from homeland security the deal was off. Although the Owners of Dubai Companies are Arabs and the CEOs are from Europe but that does mean we should give in to them. For security reasons we should not allow our gateway in hands of foreigners.