Posted on 18-2-2003

2002 Roger Award, Auckland

2 May 2003, Freyberg Square, Auckland

Two Christchurch-based groups (CAFCA and GATT Watchdog) which organise the annual Roger Award say that TNCs are the real "government" of New Zealand; the public were invited to nominate the worst of 2002. The six finalists are: Tranz Rail; Novartis; Carter Holt Harvey; Shell; Telecom and Sky City.

The criteria for judging are by assessing the transnational that has the most negative impact in New Zealand in each or all of the following fields: unemployment, monopoly, profiteering, abuse of workers/conditions, political interference/running an ideological crusade, environmental damage, cultural imperialism, impact on tangata whenua, impact on women, health and safety of workers and the public.

The judges: Sukhi Turner, Mayor of Dunedin; Dr Ranginui Walker, Emeritus Professor at Auckland University, Prue Hyman, academic and feminist, of Victoria University; and John Minto, National Chairperson of QPEC (Quality Public Education Coalition) and community activist.

The winner of 2002 Roger Award will be announced on the evening of Friday 2nd May in Freyberg Square, High St, Auckland. Music and revelry preceding the awards begin at 5.30pm.

For more information on the awards ceremony contact the Roger Award organisers : g.baxter@auckland.ac.nz CAFCA Campaign Against Foreign Control of Aotearoa, Box 2258, Christchurch, New Zealand. cafca@chch.planet.org.nz www.cafca.org.nz