Brain-drain pair set to jump ship

By STACEY BODGER

Karl Altorf has sold his business and is moving to Sydney.

Anthony Rose has done his overseas experience but wants to boost his career in the United States.

And Rob Fenton, five years into his OE, has launched an internet commerce company in London and has no plans to return.

The trio are among 700 New Zealanders who have put their names to a "Lost Generation" campaign to fight the brain-drain.

In a full-page advertisement in yesterday's Herald, the group of young professionals urged political leaders to stop New Zealand "sliding backwards" by losing young talent.

The Lost Generation campaign was initiated by Auckland marketer Richard Poole, who originally denied that the Business Roundtable was involved.

But yesterday, Roundtable chief executive Roger Kerr said it had paid for the $10,000 advertisement upfront, until Mr Poole collected the donations and repaid the money.

"We offered to help because we support their views ... The Government must listen, with so much evidence staring it in the face."

But those named in the advertisement say it does not matter who provided bridging finance - as long as the message gets through.

Mr Rose, a management consultant at Green Lane Hospital, said his brother and most of his friends were working overseas.

"Almost everyone's over there, paying off their loans so quickly and earning the same wage they would in New Zealand - but in pounds or US dollars.

"I've done the travelling thing but I want to work in the US because there's so many more opportunities."

Mr Fenton said his internet commerce business would be viable in New Zealand, but London's huge financial market provided opportunities that could not be found at home.

"The market is bigger, fatter and better - New Zealand's size means it just can't offer that."

The only reason he would return to New Zealand would be to raise children, "when I've got a swag of money behind me."

Mr Altorf sold his plastic manufacturing business because his wife, Kim, an accountant, found a job in Sydney. He plans to open a similar business in Australia and hopes to later work in England.

"Why support a Government that offers no incentive? My business contributed $200,000 in tax a year, but there's no reason to stay when we can do much better elsewhere."

Mr Poole's message was spread via e-mail, with 700 people pledging $30 each towards the advertisement.

He said yesterday that he had repaid the money from donations, which had flooded in.

One businessman contributed $1000 and 500 young New Zealanders had pledged money, which will be spent on further advertisements.

Mr Poole said it was a pity that people were trying to detract from the group's message.

"[The Roundtable] supported my initiative, but it was entirely ... my idea and absolutely genuine from patriotic Kiwis who care about [New Zealand's future]."

The campaign sparked a lot of point-scoring yesterday, with National Party leader Jenny Shipley circulating an e-mail sent from Deputy Prime Minister Jim Anderton's office to Mr Poole.

The e-mail, from senior Anderton adviser Tony Simpson, called Mr Poole a "halfwit" and said New Zealand was "one of the lowest-taxed nations in the OECD."

Asked whether that was an appropriate response, Prime Minister Helen Clark said: "No, most certainly not. It is not tolerable. It should not have been sent."

She said Mr Anderton would be talking to Mr Simpson about the e-mail.

Last night on Holmes, the Prime Minister blamed the exodus of young people on the last Government.

"The young people on the ad are overwhelmingly young people who went in the 90s under a National Government when there wasn't a lot of opportunity and when the student loans scheme was a disaster."

She also took a swipe at Richard Poole, saying: "He's a very political young New Zealander from a very strong National Party family."

Herald 0900 voteline question:

Do you think New Zealanders are too negative about the future?

Ring 0900 700 50, then 1=YES or 2=NO