KEY POINTS:
Here is an earlier selection of Your Views:
Nzausse
We live in a commercial world, Dubai wanting to purchase the Auckland airport at the right price surly is not a problem. Most of NZ banks and other major companies are owned by the Aussies or Yanks. More to the point is 4 million people owning a National carrier. For many years the NZ taxpayer has been paying squillions bailing Air NZ out of financial disasters for planes with Air NZ painted on them. I would suggest that Dubai airlines or another major player have a base in NZ and Air NZ is sold. Air crews, maintenance, food will still offer people employment just like banks and other business's. We see plenty of Kiwi's lining up to get on the cheapest flights with Virgin and others for an overseas holiday. After all a plane is a plane.
Alex Duthie
Interesting don't you think that the most strident opposition to this seem to be politicians seeking re-election or a boost in the polls. It seems they are prepared to squander the good of the country for their own political advantage. Unlike some other investors from overseas DAE do appear to be offering a real partnership. They don't seek majority control of the board, they are keeping New Zealand shareholders, even the councils can have their cake and eat it too. In addition it is in their interest to invest and expand the airport (this might not be the case with the existing ownership and other bidders who have profit return/cash flow on top of their agenda)to gain the best from their investment. DAE have deep pockets to draw the necessary investment from unlike the existing owners. They come from a small country like ourselves whose aim is to survive in a cut throat world just like ours is i.e we have mutual aims. The airport cannot go anywhere. Let's face it, if it came to the crunch the government could just take it over. It seems xenophobia is rife in NZ. We would be mad not to take up an offer as good as this.
Dave
We seem continually governed by greedy traitors rather than persons promoting a prosperous New Zealand. See CAFCA. They have it well researched."Foreign ownership does nothing to improve New Zealand's foreign debt problem. In 1984, total private and public foreign debt stood at $16 billion. As of September 2006, it was $182 billion, equivalent to well over 100 per cent of New Zealand's Gross Domestic Product, despite all of the asset sales and takeovers."Ownership means political power. Foreign control means recolonisation, but by company, not country.We are being sold, dragged downhill, robbed blind. Just look at the record of asset sales and the effect of it. Who made the gains? Where did the money go?
Hayden Nash
I bought shares in the airport in May when shares were $2.67. Obviously with this offer I would make a 50 per cent return on my investment in as little as 9 months.However, I'm saying a big no. Auckland Airport went on the stockmarket to raise money and go for its upgrade. This is still happening, and from whats been done so far, the facilities have been improved immensely.There is far more money to be made from the Airport, and lots more to be done, something that I feel overseas owners (from any country) would not bother expanding or improving on current plans.If people really don't want the airport to be lost.. then increase your shareholding. I am, but if the councils say yes, then I fear all will be lost. Look at Telecom - sold to overseas after the upgrade process started in the 80s', upgrade dumped in favour of maximising profits for overseas shareholders and now we have an antiquated exchange system to be proud of! So do we want AIAL to go the same way?
LB
This is nothing new New Zealand.Welcome to the real world of big business.
Todd (Auckland)
Who really cares? For crying out loud people, it's just a fancy bus stop!
Rob (Auckland)
As a new, young, British, skilled resident in New Zealand I'm deeply worried and concerned about some of the issues this sale raises. The sale itself is just a method that allows us to see the deep, worrying, over nationalist, small minded views that are hidden under the surface of this, still sadly, isolationist nation. If it wasn't for the geography of this country, and the minority of forward thinking people that are open minded, educated, well travelled and open to the benefits of globalisation as well as mature to its risks, I'd have a hard time convincing myself to stay. NZ will not attract the skilled labour and outside investment its needs to grow into a modern nation unless majority views change and the government takes responsbility for educating the kiwi masses on what the rest of the world is like. NZ is quickly falling behind in many, many ways. Its sad to see and is very different image I was lead to believe NZ was like. You have so much potential, which you should embrace rather than fear the effects or profits 'outsiders' might make. --> Auckland airport by European standards very poor with non existent transit links, it needs investment from someone.
Barnesman
Once again we are arguing over the merits of selling a prime national asset to foreigners. The fact is we lost control of AIA a long time ago when the intelligence of the Auckland Council sold down 25 per cent of its stake at a price far lower than todays. If the airport is fully taken over by a foreign party then New Zealanders will reap the whirlwind of a situation similar to Sydney. Massive charges for luggage trolleys, no "drop-off" parking (instead a ridiculous price for half an hour of parking), no free entry for taxis - the list goes on.(1) Why would all these overseas buyers be prepared to pay a massive premium for an asset if they didn't believe they could make money on it? This is compounded by the fact that they are paying for it in kiwi dollars which is at record highs against the majority of currencies? (2) Why is the NZ Super Fund not getting involved? Their infrastucture investment policy is direct investments into high yielding, low-risk assets. Surely if it is good enough for the Canadians it is good enough for us? Hmmmm what else can we flog off to foreigners at bargain prices?
Kudu
No we should not sell. It is a cash cow for NZ owners.
Alan Wilkinson
"We" already sold Auckland airport and spent the cash. 30 per cent is already overseas owned. It is already a monopoly fleecing the travelling public to the maximum it thinks the government will stand. Yes, Manukau and Auckland cities have the right to decide whether to hold or sell their shares. What part of this does the great New Zealand public not understand? Our banks are overseas owned. So are most of our news media and half our shops. So what? If you want to own something buy shares, otherwise your opinion is just hot air about other people's property. Look after your own property and finances and let other people look after theirs. New Zealand law should treat all investors equally and protect their property rights. It doesn't matter where they live, only what they do. That is the basic principle of equality and fairness under the law.Political manipulators like Peters will rant nationalistic nonsense but should be treated with the contempt they deserve. All airport owners should be subject to the same controls over their operations. Anything else is destructive of trust, justice and economic and social efficiency.
Uncle
Well I've just returned after five years of living in Dubai and have an opinion to share with you. Dubai as we all know, has deep pockets. Strangely enough, not from oil but from good leadership and a sound investment strategy. Dubai hires the best and smartest people in the world to run their businesses from Emirates Airline to Enoc. It also uses an endless supply of cheap labour from the Sub-continent which helps to create massive profits. (Hey, we'd do the same if we were allowed to do so) My point is, why let a foreign company come in and do exactly what we can do for ourselves. The shareholders should buy the best people, just like the UAE Arabs do, and run AIA to create even bigger profits.I'm not sure if AIA has an open skies policy or not, but if doesn't maybe by buying the airport, DAE will be able to increase landing slots for Emirates. This would also be bad news for Air New Zealand.I'd say the sale wil go through, the shareholders will make a fast buck and in 5 years time we'll be sitting around scratching our heads saying "wow wish we'd had the balls to do that" now that stock has risen 200 per cent.
Worried Nz'er
From the submissions it would seem that we are populated by a bunch of rednecked, insular, small-minded bigots. All this talk of "our airport" "keep foreigners out" "arab-terrorists" is just amazing, quite frankly scary.
This is nothing more than a commercial deal, plain and simple - that should be measured on the proposed costs and benefits to those of us that are shareholders - yes, by default some tax-payers are shareholders through councils. The councils and politicians themselves should have no say in this matter - they, like any other prudent investor that lacks the knowledge / experience to make such decisions should contract a party / parties to act on their behalf and present this opportunity for discussion like any other commercial opportunity. As a country we need to embrace the world, not shy away from it. We need to accept leadership (be it in the form of investment, knowledge, IP or experience) and also know when to lead.
Fisch
Why not? They already own our America's Cup yachting team...
KKL (Auckland)
Leave the Auckland Airport in the hands of New Zealanders. Whilst the Dubai people make all sorts of promises, things can change swiftly once they gain control.It would not be in New Zealands best interests to sell to foreigners.
Concerned Kiwi
The shares in the Airport should absolutely not be sold overseas, irrespective of who wants to buy it.
Ethan
I dont understand the reason we should sell our airport to another country ? Unless they want to block our way of travelling or take over an international ground, what is the main reason behind this sale ? I agree with the USA for not selling any port that has an international door to the world to those type of country. Who knows what's gonna happen next, we live in this part of the world were we are relatively safe from the terror or act of terror in the euro asian block.
MDC
Of course we should not let Dubai have the majority shareholding of our major airport.Just because they are money-rich and power-hungry, it's no reason to sell them an important part of our heritage. Auckland City and the other local Councils need to wake up and immediately increase their shareholding in the airport, they have plenty of uses for the profits that would come their way. They should all consult their ratepayers now - I know the answer would be "go for it". Once we lose control of local assets to overseas interests, they are never then retrievable for the benefit of our kids in the future.
Stan
No way. Keep all as is!
Chris Lee
The sale of the airport would be an absolute disaster for New Zealand. All profits that go off-shore will require additional export revenue to cover them. We should learn from past sales of strategic assetts i.e BNZ just how bad this has been for the country. At the very least land and buildings should be retained and only the operating business sold.The airport is a vital strategic monopolistic business and its ownership should rest with New Zealanders.
Michael
Wow.I had no idea that such bigotry and small mindedness was so alive and well in NZ.I have lived overseas for several years and always been amazed at what a third world airport we have.This is a chance for that to change as the present owners have done nothing.The world is the world.Where the purchasers come from is totally irrelevant.
Mike
White supremacists should only sell to white supremacists, therefore, we should not sell to Dubai, we should sell to Europeans, Americans, etc...
PC
Dubai government owns Emirates. Dubai government forms DAE(owned by a few key shareholders which ultimatel;y are controlled by Dubai government). DAE buys Auckland airport. DAE upgrades airport and renames it "Emirates Auckland Airport". Upgrade is nice but costs money, so DAE regretfully has to increase landing- and all other fees. All airlines pay loads of money, half of which goes to the Dubai government, which owns Emirates. Emirates effectively pays half the fees of all other airlines. Dubai government=Emirates=DAE is laughing all the way to the bank....I hope I am not right.
Ppmatt (Auckland)
As some one who has been to more airports I can count, I find Auckland as bad as Lax or some of the large european airports. Long lines/waits and no transport from int. to domestic. Please, please sell, the airport itself doesn't have much of a future anyway due to its location and poor supporting infrastructure. A new airport will be built sooner or later so why not cash in and buy Auckland a nice new airport with plenty of room for expansion if it is needed.
Sad
Just because it is being bought over by an Arab country politician and people are objecting. If it would have been an American / Australian / British company all these people would have agreed and provided a positive feedback. This is nothing but hypocrisy.
Henry (Howick)
We are looking here at an international hub, not a rundown rail system, or a 1940/50 operation in need of a good shake out : just examine how many European, airports are owned by overseas investors. Many in the UK are, including substantial NZ investment...one example is Heathrow airport; the busiest airport in the world which is owned by a Spanish construction company : has anyone a problem with that . Get real Winston and Curtis, you have not been that innovative or constructive as investors. Small wonder this is such a shock.
Temporarily in the UK
It would be wise to keep all public services - gas, electricity, train and air transport and water facilities decidedly in NZ hands. There is considerable disquiet in the UK that the open market is too open and that these services, many of which have sold out to non-UK companies do not, and may not in dangerous times,serve the UK population adequately. Do not under any circumstances follow the British examples.
Judyj (Waiheke island)
Please stop selling any further assets to overseas sharks. Do we need any more profits to go off shore? Sell if need be, but only to New Zealand investors. Perhaps the Cullen fund should invest? At least keep this strategic asset in New Zealand hands.
Ian (Auckland)
Dubai will invest heaps into the airport.They will create jobs and income for NZ with other airport activities.If they want Auck airport to prosper over Sydney and Melbourne they will need to keep competitive and make Auck and attractive destination. The increase of landing charges and departure tax could need approval via an independant body. Sell to them.Both Auck and Manukau CC desperately need cash to reduce debt or carry out much needed work. This will have a direct affect on rates or the need to increase rates so much.Limit the sale to 55 per cent offshore holding and make sure that a certain portion of future dividends are kept in NZ.People need to see this as a commitment to more than just an airport. They have a greater vision than that.This will take the airport and the environs to a level that most could not envisage right now.All so many short sighted people can see is an asset disappearing - well the airport will still be there and it will be better.
Neo From Auckland, now in India, Bombay
This is absolutely bullocks. No country gives its basic infrastructure in foreign hands. Dubai is famous for all sorts of illegal activities and money laundering business in the world. Let alone mafias from Europe Asia and India but also terrorist organisations which has been banned by the US are thriving there. It could be easily used by terrorist as a launch pad into western countries. Australia definitely has to be concerned about it. Chinese tried to get infrastructure projects in developing ports across India. But after lots of discussions and arguments the Chinese were not allowed in. They could pose a direct breach of security.If New Zealand goes with such a proposal it would be one of the biggest display of kiwi ignorance and stupidity after the Kyoto deal. Its 100 per cent breach of security.
Skippy (Auckland)
Ironic - Maori are constantly litigating for the return of their lands taken by unscrupulous, land grabbing colonists of the 19th Century only to see most of it being sold to foreigners. It appears more palatable for foreigners to own land than tangata whenua.
Rossnz
How many of your opinionated people have put their money where their mouths are, and invested in the shares of AIA? If not they should keep quiet. I won't tell them when to buy or sell personal assets. Nor should they tell me. AIA is owned by shareholders. End of story.
S Mohanakrishnan
Yes, why not?
Dubai has a reputation for building and operating a world-class airport, which they are expanding many fold. Emirates has been a grand success in the airlines field. They have the money to invest in Auckland Airport to expand it to be a big hub for international travel from the Pacific. It would bring much required foreign investment, jobs and will be a great boost to the Auckland economy. The Dubai Emirate is in this sort of investments all over the world for the long haul. They are one of the rising stars in the world and it is no dishonour to be associated with them. A visit to Dubai by the skeptics here will show that they mean business and it will be profitable joint venture, may be leading to more win-win deals for both countries in the future. And while we are doing the deal, how about getting a preferred deal for import of oil as well from UAE?
Kiwichild (Perth)
No way should Auckland airport be sold to foreigners. There is way too much of this sort of thing going on. NZ will end up being owned and operated by foreign business!
JRE
I would have thought that a profitable asset such as Auckland Airport would be a great business investment (that's investment and not management !) for our multi billion dollar super fund. That way NZ retains both ownership and profits. Obvious really.
Colin
Because of the high price it would be prudent to sell for the Manukau City Council to sell it's shares. The other arguments don't stack up. Monopolies can be regulated and taxed. MCC has huge debts to service and it seems senseless to keep paying massive interest when the proceeds from the sale would reduce the burden on the community for years to come. Come on MCC councillors - it's common sense and business sense. Failure to obtain such a high premium price because of political concerns is not in the rate payers best interest.
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