21 Jul 2008

'Buy back' fund needed, says NZ First

5:22 pm on 21 July 2008

An investment fund is needed to "buy back" New Zealand's strategic assets, says New Zealand First.

It says the economy is hemorrhaging from daily transfusions to offshore interests.

The party will launch what it calls the New Zealand Fund after the election.

Leader Winston Peters says New Zealanders should be given the opportunity to invest in a designated fund that targets local infrastructure and companies.

Details of the fund were announced at the party's annual conference on Sunday.

Mr Peters says the party wants to put an investment programme in place to reduce foreign ownership - something New Zealand First has long fought against.

He says it is no exaggeration to say that the economy is hemorrhaging from daily transfusions to Australian-owned banks and foreign interests.