Politics

Lower Govt stake in Air NZ wanted

05:39 am on 26 August 2011

Air New Zealand chairman John Palmer wants the Government to reduce its stake in the airline to 51% if it goes ahead with asset sales.

The company is 76% Government-owned and is tagged under National's proposal to partially privatise some State-owned assets if it wins the election in November.

Mr Palmer says the selldown would benefit the airline by increasing the size of the free float and providing more liquidity for Air New Zealand stock on the market.

He says the pool of shareholders would grow and the Crown has made it clear that it will continue to be the majority shareholder at 51%, which Air New Zealand welcomes.

Mr Palmer says there's no timetable for a selldown, but he expects to hold further talks with Government ministers later this year or early next year.