Wairarapa voters say emphatic 'no' to selling assets

The majority of Wairarapa residents don't support the Government's asset sales, according to the final results of the citizens-initiated referendum.

Just over half of enrolled voters in Wairarapa took the opportunity to voice their opinion.

The referendum asked: "Do you support the Government selling up to 49 per cent of Meridian Energy, Mighty River Power, Genesis Power, Solid Energy and Air New Zealand?"

Out of the 23,582 votes cast by Wairarapa residents, 34.4 per cent said 'Yes' and 65.4 per cent said 'No', echoing the total national vote.

Nationwide, over a million people voted in the referendum showing 32.5 per cent supported the sale and 67.2 per cent did not.

Other Wellington electorates followed similar suit.

Voters in Maori electorate Ikaroa-Rawhiti, which includes Wairarapa, voted an overwhelming 'No' with 94.7 per cent opposed.

Prime Minister John Key called the referendum a political stunt and said it would not make a difference to the Government's future sales plans.

The Government has already sold 20 per cent of Air New Zealand and 49 per cent of Meridian Energy and Mighty River Power.

Because it is not a binding referendum, the Government is not obliged to stop the sales.

To initiate the referendum, which cost $9 million to run, the signatures of at least 10 per cent of registered electors were needed.

The Keep Our Assets coalition, led by Grey Power president Roy Reid and the Green Party, collected 327,224 signatures, more than the necessary 10 per cent.