Private investors are ordinary Kiwis

My father arrived in New Zealand in the 1930s with almost nothing.

He was hoping for a better life here than he was able to have in Scotland and he got it.

When he returned after active service with the 20th Battalion during World War II he got a rehab. apprenticeship as a carpenter and spent the rest of his working life in that trade.

My mother was a nurse but, as most women did in those days, she gave up her profession when she married.

There wasn’t much to spare from a single income with three children to raise but Mum and Dad saved what they could and invested when able. By the time they retired they had a mortgage-free home and a small nest egg which gave them a bit more security and a few more choices than they would have had if they had nothing more than their pensions.

They were ordinary Kiwis who had worked and saved and were able to enjoy the fruits of that in their retirement.

The Labour Party doesn’t appear to recognise people like this.

Leader David Shearer reckons the partial float of Mighty River Power is another win for private investors over ordinary Kiwis.

Silly man, many private investors are ordinary Kiwis like my parents.

They’re the ones who work hard, save what they can and are looking for good investments.

No shareholding comes with a cast-iron guarantee but utility companies like MRP are usually good, safe, long-term, investments for ordinary Kiwis who are able and prepared to save and invest.