Applicant
Southern Paprika Limited
Case number(s)
201710030
Decision date
Type
Decision
DecisionConsent granted
Section 12(a) Overseas Investment Act 2005
Decision Date8 May 2017
InvestmentAn overseas investment in sensitive land, being the Applicant's acquisition of:
  • a freehold interest in approximately 15.5000 hectares of land at 40 Carran Road, Warworth; and
  • a freehold interest in approximately 1.7000 hectares of land at 361 Kaipara Flats Road, Warkworth.
Consideration$1,077,000
ApplicantSouthern Paprika Limited
Hamish and Robyn Alexander, New Zealand (50%)
Hubertus Jozephus Levarht, Stefan Rene Levarht, Franciscus Cornelis Levarht, and family,  Netherlands (50%)
VendorDean James and Marjorie Roseanne Blythen
New Zealand (100%)
Harvey Daniel Carran
New Zealand (100%)
Background

The Applicant is a capsicum grower that wishes to expand its glasshouses onto the land which adjoins its current growing operation.  The Applicant intends a substantial development of up to 14 hectares of new glasshouses and a packhouse over the next 10 years, which will result in a significant number of new jobs and the introduction of significant capital for development purposes.

The overseas investment transaction has satisfied the criteria in section 16 of the Overseas Investment Act 2005. The 'substantial and identifiable benefit to New Zealand' criteria were satisfied by particular reference to the following factors:

Overseas Investment Act 2005
17(2)(a)(i) – Jobs
17(2)(a)(iii) – Increased export receipts
17(2)(a)(iv) – Greater efficiency or productivity
17(2)(a)(v) – Additional investment for development purposes

Overseas Investment Regulations 2005
28(a) – Consequential benefits
28(e) – Previous investments
28(g) – Enhance the viability of other investments
28(j) – Oversight and participation by New Zealanders

More informationCatherine Reid
Barrister