Labour leader Phil Goff has issued a rallying cry to the party faithful, saying they have less than a week to save New Zealand's assets from being sold.
Phil Goff addressed about 800 supporters at the party's biggest rally of the election campaign at Auckland Girls' Grammar School on Sunday underneath a massive overhead screen with the words "Stop asset sales - time is running out."
If re-elected, the National Party says it will proceed with the partial privatisation of state-owned energy companies Genesis Energy, Meridian Energy, Mighty River Power and Solid Energy and reduce the Crown's shareholding in Air New Zealand.
As a digital clock counted down the seconds to the closing of the polls at 7pm on Saturday, Mr Goff told supporters when they wake up next Sunday it must be to a New Zealand they own - not one about to be sold to the highest bidder.
"There are two simple words that have defined this election campaign: asset sales. Labour's position is crystal clear - New Zealand is not for sale.
"Selling them may give us a short-term sugar hit, but it does nothing to prepare us for the future. We've seen it before - it simply doesn't work. It's just dumb to sell them - and we won't."
Mr Goff urged Labour supporters to use every minute between now and election day to save the country's assets, saying he will worker harder this week than ever before.
"I will not rest - because this is our last chance to save our assets. I'll fight until midnight Friday, because there's no going back. Until then, there is everything to fight for - but I can't do it alone. I need your support."
