Mother-of-two Julie Bramley has only one word to describe the letters she has been receiving from Auckland Airport and the Canada Pension Plan Investment Board - confusing.
The 41-year-old was given 1600 shares in Auckland Airport by her husband several years ago.
She received a letter from CPPIBon Friday, dated February 28, saying that Auckland International Airport Limited now unanimously recommended that shareholders sell their shares.
"So I thought, 'Oh OK'. I want to do the right thing by the Auckland Airport board. These are the only shares I've got. For a while I've been getting these lovely little dividends every year and I thought that if they recommend it then I'll do what they recommend, so I signed it all [to sell them] for $3.59."
She then received a letter on Monday from Auckland Airport, also dated February 28, which was headed "Updated Advice From the Directors of Auckland Airport".
But she said the letter just confused her even more.
"I'm not sure what Auckland Airport wants me to do. They say we should sell, but then they say they don't recommend CPPIB should acquire 40 per cent. I mean what does that mean?"
Mrs Bramley, who works in media research and lives in Auckland, said she unsuccessfully tried to get hold of somebody from Auckland Airport to clarify the issue.
"Now I hear the shares plummeted and I'm thinking it's probably quite good I sold them ... "
She is all for keeping the airport in New Zealand ownership, but questioned whether the Government had the right to step in to protect it from foreign control.
She said the voting process for whether shareholders wanted CPPIB to acquire 40 per cent of the company was also confusing.
"I just could not believe the communication that I have received from both parties."
