Government should sell Air New Zealand shares to Maori

From Granny:

Pacific Blue has flow on main trunk routes within this country for 18 months.

The Sydney Morning Herald reported Macquarie Equities saying it was difficult to see two low-cost carriers operating within New Zealand in the longer term against government-owned Air New Zealand.

"It would not be surprising to see Pacific Blue reduce its services or exit entirely within 18 months," the broker said.

The Government should sell at least 49% of Air New Zealand to keep competition alive in the airline industry. Why only 49% and not the whole lot? Because John Key promised not to sell state assets in the first term. Of course selling shares is not selling assets as I pointed out here. Who should they sell the shares to? Maori.

Mobile company 2degrees is set to launch then and Maori, through the Hautaki Trust, own a 20 per cent stake in the company.

Direct dividends are on the cards once the company becomes profitable-something no Treaty settlement iwi has truly achieved yet, although Ngai Tahu has moved close with its iwi saver scheme. However, there were other ways the company wants Maori to benefit, Osborne said.

"One of the ideas we've thought about is trying to create a franchise opportunity that would allow Maori to own their own network as part of this network.

And after this they can sell Maori TV to Maori too. I reckon with all the billions Maori have received in land settlements they can turn this country around by allowing choice, competition and free enterprise.

Good on them I say. What say the government?