Applicant
Whitford Forest Holdings Company
Case number(s)
201110080
Decision date
Type
Decision
DecisionConsent granted
Section 12(a) Overseas Investment Act 2005
Decision date10 October 2011
InvestmentAn overseas investment in sensitive land, being the Applicant's acquisition of a freehold interest in 1,624.0560 hectares of land between Maraetai & Whitford, Greater Auckland.
Consideration$1,826,433
ApplicantWhitford Forest Holdings Company
Friedberg Family, Canada (100.0%)
VendorRiverside Forestry Limited
New Zealand (100%)
Background

The Applicant is the registered proprietor of a 4/5 interest in land known as "Whitford Forest" located in the Greater Auckland region. The Applicant seeks to acquire the remaining 1/5 interest in the land.

The proposed investment will enhance the Applicant's investment already made in the property. In particular, the Applicant has already contributed significant resources into the future development of the property through its involvement in the Whitford Rural Plan Change (Plan Change 8) of the Manukau District Plan. The primary purpose of the Whitford Rural Plan Change is to provide for countryside living development.

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)(b) – Indigenous Vegetation/Fauna
17(2)(d) – Historic Heritage
17(2)(e) – Walking Access

Overseas Investment Regulations 2005
28(a) – Consequential Benefits
28(e) – Previous investments
28(j) – Mitigating Factor

More informationDeirdre Norris
Glaister Ennor
PO Box 63
AUCKLAND