Overseas investment decision for case 201810074 - Nishi Sake Selling Co., Ltd

• a freehold interest in 40.0798 hectares of land at 800 East Taratahi Road (Urlar Estate) alternative address 140 Dakins Road, East Taratahi, Carteron; and
• a freehold interest in 2.0750 hectares of land at 61 Dakins Road, East Taratahi, Carteron.

Urlar Farms Limited
New Zealand (76%)
Singapore (24.0%)

Thomson Family Trust
New Zealand (100%)

The Applicant is a Japanese family company which has specialised in distilled beverage production for eight generations. Nishi Sake has recently expanded its product offering to include sake, bottled water and other Japanese soda drinks and now wishes to further expand to add New Zealand wine.  

The Applicant believes that with its strong beverage distribution network in Japan, (which gives them access to a substantial number of restaurant clients), it can make Urlar Estate a well known and premium brand both in New Zealand and overseas. 

The benefits that are likely to result from the Investment include the creation of new jobs resulting in a 50% increase in staffing at the vineyard, the introduction into New Zealand of additional funds for development for a new barrel room and cellar door, a five fold increase in export receipts generated from the Investment within the next 5 years and funding two New Zealand students through a Bachelors or Masters level course in viticulture and oenology at Lincoln University.  

Combined we consider the benefits to New Zealand that are likely to occur as a result of the Investment are substantial and identifiable