To the leaders of New Zealand’s political parties 
 
New Zealand needs investment from both here and overseas to build businesses and create jobs. Investors need confidence that the law will protect what they own and the agreements they make. 
 
Political parties have proposed forcing supermarket owners to sell to the government and promised to break up a New Zealand-owned supermarket group. 
 
They have threatened a bank with a state takeover and pledged to force power companies to separate generating electricity from selling it to customers. 
 
There are also proposals to change retirement village contracts already signed and cancel mining approvals even if granted lawfully. 
 
Beyond such heavy-handed interventions, the anti-business rhetoric of political leaders is deeply concerning. It makes people willing to invest here question whether their contribution is welcome. 
 
We ask every political party to uphold a rules-based economy that respects private property and freedom of contract. The law must protect those rights consistently, whichever party is in power and whichever business is affected. 
 
Businesses must earn their customers’ trust and obey the law. We support strong protection for consumers and action against businesses that break competition rules. 
 
Property rights protect what people own and set limits on political power. A promise of lower prices does not give politicians the right to force owners to sell or break up a business. 
 
Paying compensation to the owners does not remove the wider damage. Forced sales and break-ups tell investors around the world that ownership here depends on political convenience. 
 
Freedom of contract allows people to make lawful agreements they can rely on when planning their lives and businesses. Those agreements should not be rewritten to suit election promises. 
 
Threats can discourage investment before any law changes. Building a factory or a power station means planning well beyond the next election. If investors cannot trust that their rights will be respected, they can take their money elsewhere. 
 
When that happens, New Zealand loses jobs and opportunities for higher wages. Fewer new competitors also mean less choice for customers. 
 
We ask all parties to withdraw these proposals. Make it easier to start businesses and build new premises. Remove rules that keep new competitors out. 
 
Driving investment away will not help with ‘Fixing the basics and building the future’ or deliver on ‘Better starts now’. It will not create prosperity ‘For all of us’. Leaving New Zealanders with fewer jobs and opportunities is hardly ‘Putting New Zealand First’. 
 
New Zealand needs a credible plan to return the budget to surplus. That means bringing government spending below its income. We cannot rely on an economic recovery to close the gap. We must also prepare for the rising cost of healthcare and pensions as our population ages. 
 
Prepare the country for a more dangerous world, with credible defence and strong trade and security partnerships. Give the next generation an education that prepares them for work and life. Deliver reliable transport, water and energy infrastructure, with clear priorities and better value for taxpayers. 
 
We are ready to work with any government on these tasks. Respecting people’s rights would give that work a sound foundation and New Zealanders greater confidence in their future. 
 
Signed 
 
Paul Baines 
Simon Bennett, Chairman, Accordant and Managing Director, Metroglass
Jason Boyes, CEO, Infratil 
Tony Carter CNZM, Company Director 
Mary Devine, CEO, Foodstuffs South Island 
Mark Dunphy, Chair, Greymouth Petroleum 
Trevor Farmer, Director, Tappenden Holdings 
Daniel Foggo, Founder and Director, Plenti Group  
Dame Jenny Gibbs DNZM, Philanthropist 
Damien Grant 
Marcel Gray, Board Chair, Foodstuffs South Island 
Ross Green, Company Director 
John Harman, Executive Director & Owner, Lightforce Solar 
Dr Oliver Hartwich, Executive Director, The New Zealand Initiative 
Glenn Hawkins, Chair, Avanti Finance 
Rob Hennin, Professional Director 
Jimmy Higgins, CEO, Suncorp New Zealand 
Mark Honeybone, Director and Owner, Harcourts Property Ventures 
Colin Hurst, National President, Federated Farmers of New Zealand 
Desleigh Jameson, Managing Director, Gubb & Hardy 
Stephen Jennings, Founder and CEO, Rendeavour 
Murray Jordan, Company Director 
John Judge, Independent Director 
Andrew Krukziener, Krukziener Properties 
Aaron Leech, New Zealand General Manager, Robt. Jones Holdings 
Sir Christopher Mace KNZM 
David Mair, Managing Director, Sanford 
Doug McKay ONZM, Chair, Vector 
Trish McLean, Executive Director, RWR Group 
Sir Robert A McLeod KNZM, Director 
Nick Mowbray, Co-Founder and CEO, ZURU 
Sir Ralph Norris KNZM, Company Director 
Tim Palin, Partner, Frequency 
Roger Partridge, Chair, The New Zealand Initiative 
Neil Paviour-Smith, CEO, Forsyth Barr 
Chris Quin, CEO, Foodstuffs North Island 
Graham Rich, Managing Partner & Dean, Portfolio Construction Forum 
Matt Riley, Executive Director 
Murray Robertson, Managing Director New Zealand, Downer 
Mark Rushworth, CEO, UP Education 
Prof Christoph Schumacher, Professor in Innovation and Economics, Massey University 
Peter Schuyt, Company Director 
David Sena, Founder and CEO, 2 Cheap Cars 
Trish Sherson, Director, Sherson Willis 
Ryan Smuts, Company Director 
Scott St John, Company Director 
Mark Synnott, Executive Chairman, Colliers New Zealand 
John-Daniel Trask, Co-Founder and CEO, Raygun and Autohive 
Jacques Venter, Executive Director 
Antonia Watson 
Dr Bryce Wilkinson ONZM, Director, Capital Economics