Applicant
Highview Stud Limited
Case number(s)
200520083
Decision date
Type
Decision
Decision number200520083
Application number200520091
Date22 November 2005
Offeror/applicantHighview Stud Limited
Ultimate applicant beneficial ownership50 percent - Hong Kong, Chu (Nicola Ming Nga)
17 percent - New Zealand, Gillovic (Brent Stephen)
14.645 percent - New Zealand, The Valan Cohen Foundation
12.495 percent - Australia, Hibbert (Michael Raymond)
5.78 percent - New Zealand, Everett (Brian Robert)
0.0812 percent - New Zealand, McIlraith (Donald Hamish)
Beneficial overseas ownership 
- Asset current71.2475 percent
- Asset proposed62.495 percent
- Share currentN/A
- Share proposedN/A
Offeree(s)/seller(s)Highview Properties Limited 65 percent - Hong Kong, Chu (Nicola Ming Nga)
10 percent - New Zealand, Clough C J
8.4994 percent - New Zealand, Gillovic (Brent Stephen)
7.3225 percent - New Zealand, The Valan Cohen Foundation
6.2475 percent - Australia, Hibbert (Michael Raymond)
2.89 percent - New Zealand, Everett (Brian Robert)
0.0406 percent - New Zealand, McIlraith (Donald Hamish)
Business activitiesAgriculture - Other Livestock - Horse Farming
Details of land involved119.453 hectares of leasehold situated at Kararamea and Gillard Roads, Ngahinapouri, Hamilton being CTs 40036, 400037, and SA55C/796 (South Auckland Registry).
Regions involvedWaikato
Total consideration$1,650,000
Consent Sought - 1995 RegsTo acquire an estate or interest in land which together with any associated land exceeds five hectares in area.
Rationale

The application has been approved as it met the criteria.

The Overseas Investment Office is satisfied that the individuals with control of the Applicant collectively have business experience and acumen relevant to the overseas investment, and that the Applicant has demonstrated financial commitment towards the overseas investment. The Overseas Investment Office is further satisfied that each individual that exercises control over the Applicant are of good character and are not an individual of the kind referred to in section 7(1) of the Immigration Act 1987.

The subject transaction is part of a series of transactions which are part of a proposal whereby Nicola Chu will acquire an interest in the Highview Stud Limited bloodstock business. Nicola Chu proposes to acquire a 65 percent interest in Highview Properties Limited, and acquire 50 percent of the shares in Highview Stud Limited which will lease the land from Highview Properties Limited and operate a bloodstock business and related activities. Both the Applicant and her husband (Peter Yip) have an interest in breeding and racing thoroughbred racehorses and view this acquisition as providing a business base to breed, educate, and pre-train their horses in advance of a racing career in Hong Kong in addition to a traditional stud business.

The transactions (A200520060, A200520090, and A200520091) are likely to result in the following benefits:

  1. the creation of new job opportunities;
  2. the introduction of development capital; and
  3. greater efficiencies to the Highview Stud business and increased productivity.
ContactTerry Nowland
P O Box 170
WELLINGTON