JUKEN NISSHO

The eight finalists for the 2003 Roger Award were: Telecom, Carter Holt Harvey, Comalco, ANZ, Newmont Mining (Waihi Gold), Rymans, Juken Nissho and BAT (British American Tobacco). Triple winner Tranz Rail is no longer eligible for nomination as it has been promoted to the Hall of Shame. 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 were: Sukhi Turner, Mayor of Dunedin; Dr Ranginui Walker, Emeritus Professor at the University of Auckland; John Minto, veteran Auckland activist and National Chairperson of the Quality Public Education Coalition; Alister Barry, documentary maker, of Wellington; and Jill Hawkey, of Christchurch, National Director of Christian World Service. Sukhi Turner, representing the judges, announced the winner and other placegetters, at an event in Dunedin on the night of February 19th.

To quote the Judges’ Report, Juken Nissho is "a company which operates wood processing plants in Kaitaia, Masterton and Gisborne and creates work for more than 1,000 New Zealanders. The reasons for the Award are JN’s horrifying safety record in its plants and its arrogant disregard for the welfare of the Kaitaia community with the emissions from its triboard plant in the town". The judges called for a public inquiry into both aspects - health and safety, and pollution by its Kaitaia mill.

British American Tobacco (BAT), which has 80% of the tobacco market in NZ, came second because: "BAT contributes to the death of 5000 New Zealanders annually – 2000 women, with Maori women disproportionately represented. In fact, some 34% of all Maori deaths are smoking-related". Carter Holt Harvey came third, because it "has continued its appalling track record through 2003…", specifically by its treatment of its workers, its attitude to safety, political interference, and its role in the leaky buildings scandal. Telecom got a Special Award for Monopoly Profiteering because it "continues to be a standout case of using every trick in the book to maximise profits at the expense of New Zealanders".

Murray Horton

for the organisers