National Day of Action Against Privatisation - Saturday, 12 June 2010

No one should profit from water - it is a natural monopoly, a necessity of life, and a human right.

On Tuesday 4 May 2010 the Local Government Amendment Bill passed its first reading in New Zealand Parliament. While the government is denying this, the Bill allows councils to privatise water. They will be able to:

* Enter into contracts with private companies to run water services for up to 35 years (the current limit is 15 years)
* Allow private companies to own and control water infrastructure for the duration of these contracts (the current legislation requires councils to retain ownership and control of water)

The long-term leases the Bill allows for are the dominant model of water privatisation in the world. It is very rare for councils or governments to sell off the water asset entirely. Long term leases work in private companies favour as they can make profit from water while the public sector retains long-term costs and responsibilty.

Internationally the model that has been proposed is shown to lead to higher water costs, less accountability and reduced services. The global water industry is dominated by two mega companies Suez and Veolia. A subsidary of Veolia is United Water and already active in New Zealand.

Get organised with your friends, whanau, church, school, club to oppose water privatisation. Join the National Day of Action in your area. Even if you can't attend, please click 'Invite people to come' and let others know about it.

Whangarei
12 noon - 2.00pm
Proposed Rally outside Whangerei District Council Chambers, Forum North Building, Rust Avenue, Whangarei
Assistance needed with placards / speakers
Contact: Claire Swinney, (09) 430 7252 or 021-0732885

North Shore City
12 noon - 2.00pm
Rally outside North Shore City Council Chambers
1 The Strand, Takapuna
Contact: Kerry Bevan: (09) 473 3747 or Percy Allison on (09) 443 0369

Waitakere City
12 noon - 2.00pm
Rally outside Waitakere City Council Chambers
6 Henderson Valley Road, Henderson, Waitakere
Contact: Mered Barrar: (09) 836 6389

Auckland
12.00-2.00pm,
Rally outside Auckland Town Hall.
Contact Penny Bright: waterpressure@gmail.com or (09) 846 9825 or 021 211 4127
Website: www.stopprivatisation.org.nz/

Manukau City
12 noon - 2.00pm
Rally outside Manakau City Council Chambers
31-33 Wiri Station Road (opposite Manukau District Court), Manukau City Centre
Contact: Bill Wiki by email or 021 058 6538

Franklin District Council
12 noon - 2pm
Outside Franklin District Council Chambers
82 Manukau Road, Pukekohe
Contact: Judy Spencer (09) 236 3899 or Margaret Swift Ph Judy (09) 236 3899
Or email Franklin against Water Privatisation: thestudio@paradise.net.nz

Hamilton
12.00-2.00pm (ring to confirm)
Rally outside Hamilton City Council Chambers
Contact: Mischelle Rhodes: tommopmog@gmail.com or (07) 847 7405

Kapiti Coast
Coastlands stall and rally,
Contact David Scott: davidscott@ihug.co.nz

Hutt City
12 noon - 2pm
Main Council Building, 30 Laings Road, Lower Hutt
Contact Anna Sutherland: anna@yorkbay.net.nz or 021 349 411

Kapiti Coast
Coastlands stall and rally,
Contact David Scott: davidscott@ihug.co.nz

Wellington
11.30am
Bucket Fountain on Cuba Street. moving at 12.30 to the Wellington City Council Buildings, 101 Wakefield St Wellington
Contact Sam Buchanan: quackysam@hotmail.com
Website: www.righttowater.org.nz

Christchurch, NB Sunday not Saturday
Sunday 13th June, 3pm
Cathedral Square, Cathedral will be open if its wet
Contact Eugenie Sage (03) 329 8177
Website: www.ourwaterourvote.org.nz

Dunedin
12.00-2.00pm
Dunedin Council Chambers, Civic Centre, 50 The Octogan
Contact Fliss Butcher: (03) 477 9972
or Lyndon Weggery: LWeggery@hotmail.com