We don’t usually include correspondence from members and supporters in Watchdog but we thought we’d make an exception because of the spontaneous messages we received when we announced the end of the annual Roger Award for the Worst Transnational Corporation Operating in Aotearoa/New Zealand. You can read that announcement, “Roger: Over And Out”, in Watchdog 147, April 2018, http://www.converge.org.nz/watchdog/47/01.html. Ed.

Whew Murray, immediate first response ...... there's great sadness at hearing the end of the Roger Award ....... but a memory of great triumph over adversity ........ they don’t like it up em ....... cold steel sir ...... that sound of huge relief was the TNCs ........ but there's a certain wave of raised conscience from the activists who won't forget their new awareness .......

and yes, the sheer joy of taking the mickey out of the bastards .... while still informing ourselves in a very serious and earnest way I loved our Palmy* one in 2016 ....... and the 2006/7 Progressive Lockout** victory ....... everyone will have their favourite ...... thank you Murray for your push and drive to make it all come together ........ wonderful, wonderful, memories. Dion Martin (Palmerston North).

*Dion organised the Roger Award event in Palmerston North in 2016 – the only time it was ever held there. See “Roger Award Event. Palmerston North Put On A Great Show” in Watchdog 142, August 2016, http://www.converge.org.nz/watchdog/42/03.html. **The 2006 Roger was won by Progressive Enterprises (i.e. Countdown), primarily for locking out its distribution centre workers. Dion, in his capacity as a union organiser (which he still is), brought down a group of Palmerston North distribution centre workers to the Roger event in Wellington, in 2007. See subsection “The Workers United Will Never Be Defeated”, in the article “Progressive Wins Roger Award On Its First Attempt”, in Watchdog 114, May 2007, http://www.converge.org.nz/watchdog/14/01.htm Ed.

Well done over all that time. I managed to get to one (event) at Knox Hall (Christchurch) and it was a brilliant turnout. It has been a superb contribution from all involved in the way of a regular and very unwelcome “reality check” by the “Rogers”, and this has undoubtedly been effective in keeping the pressure on corporates and raising public awareness.

But as you say, these things have a finite lifespan and the former energy has apparently now shifted to different arenas. In addition, if media don’t cover it, that makes it even more of a challenge. My impression is the media are a lot lazier these days, which is probably a result of hiring policy by the media barons, making it very difficult for them to research anything properly, while being encouraged to put out “generic set pieces” from the shills. Susan Waller (Rangiora).

Thank you, Murray for all those years of “Rogering”, it must have had much impact, not the least reminding (awake) New Zealanders that they are being exploited by what are essentially predatory organisations. Nothing last forever though and the world is changing rapidly into ........who knows? It is looking scary. Karl Matthys (Napier).

Fantastic and important work Murray, but even without the Award I hope you'll still be keeping an eye on the pricks. Also, that crate wasn't a bad investment after all!!! Mark Roach (Wellington). For many years Mark stored and transported the fantastically ugly Roger Award trophy all over the country for no cost. He was a vital part in the logistics of the whole Roger Award. It was his idea to get a special travel crate built for it (in which it sits to this day). Ed.

Thank you for your drive. I participated one year and still remember the fun.  Hans Heumann (Auckland).

Sorry to see the Roger Award fade out.  I agree with everything you say below, and have been a fervent reader and admirer of both the nominations and the results ever since the award started.  Thank you.  Don Polly (Paekakariki). Don was one of the numerous Roger Award Judges’ Report writers. Ed.

This is sad.  The Roger Award was serious, quirky, principled, funny and badly needs its twisted tale told in a historical study. Well done, CAFCA, for this initiative.  We will have to find another one to replace it. Liz Gordon (Christchurch).

Both “Educational” & “Fun”

Thanks for all the hard work that has gone into the Awards over the years Murray.  The Award ceremonies have been warm places to meet wonderful people.  Great to have the sense to call an end to things before they fizzle. Congratulations. Maurice Ward (Christchurch).

Thank you and your mates for all the hard work.  Brendan Corbett (Auckland).

Thanks for letting us know Murray. I have found the Roger Award to be educational. Especially of bank staff when I told them. I can understand the reasons for its demise, but it has certainly annoyed the CEOs of corporations that were nominated and especially those that won or were runners up! Clare Pierson (Greymouth).

On behalf of the Alliance, many, many, thanks for all the effort CAFCA has put into organising the Rogers over the years. I think it has had an impact on both the public and corporations targeted.   But I guess everything has its day.  Thanks to organisations like CAFCA, I feel we all know the big corporations are wrecking mercilessly exploiting both people and planet for personal profits. The problem is we don’t feel we can live without them - yet. Kay Murray (Dunedin).

Thanks for the fun this has provided over the years! Marilyn Head (Wellington).

Absolutely understandable. But well done - it has been a very worthy piece of activism. Paul Maunder (Blackball). Paul served the Roger Award for years as a judge and Chief Judge. The judges and Judges’ Report writers – none of whom ever got paid or even identified (in the case of the writers) – were absolutely crucial to the whole enterprise. Ed.

Congratulations on the whole Roger Award project. From afar, I fully respect your decision. Doubtless the idea of highlighting the corporate shockers will find a new medium given the state of our world. Best wishes to CAFCA. Peter Murphy (Sydney).

Thanks for the great Roger Award work over so many years! Catherine Delahunty (Thames).

Many thanks for your great work on this over the years! Jen Olsen (Dunedin).

Thanks so much for running the Roger Award these many years.  I suspect one reason you've received fewer nominations in recent years is that the list often contains the “usual suspects”. The most powerful corporations naturally get continuing attention. There will be other ways to continue the campaign; maybe someday a similar idea will emerge as a then current action. Dick Keller (Wellington).

Well, it had a good run and provided terrific newsworthy information on the depth of danger NZ faces from foreign control of our economy.  Keep up the good work, Murray. Bill Willmott (Christchurch).