Applicant
Horizons Investment Trust, Wild Grass Limited Partnership & Wild Grass Investments No.1 Limited
Case number(s)
201420096
201520074
201520073
Decision date
Type
Decision
DecisionConsent granted retrospectively
Section 12(a) Overseas Investment Act 2005
Decision Date19 January 2016
Investment

An overseas investment in sensitive land, being the acquisition of freehold interests by:

  • Horizons Investment Trust of approximately 14ha of land located at Jacks Point, Queenstown (Lot 1 DP 447241 - 201420096);
  • Wild Grass Limited Partnership of approximately 24ha of land located at Jacks Point, Queenstown (Lot 2 DP 447241 - 201520074);
  • Wild Grass Investments No.1 Limited of approximately 3ha of land located at Jacks Point, Queenstown (Lot 3 DP 447241 - 201520073).
Consideration$5,000 (Lot 1)
$10,000,000 (Lot 2)
$10,000 (Lot 3)
Applicant

Horizons Investment Trust - Lot 1
Adam Wayne Smith, New Zealand (100%)

Wild Grass Limited Partnership - Lot 2
Australian public (76%)
Various overseas persons (24%)

Wild Grass Investments No.1 Limited - Lot 3
Adam Wayne Smith, New Zealand (75.5%)
Australian public (24.5%)

VendorJacks Point Land Holdings Limited
New Zealand (100%)
Background

The Applicants are joint venture parties who wish to develop a 5-star luxury resort over the three combined properties located at Jacks Point near Queenstown. The applicants have an agreement in place with a luxury premium 5 star resort group to manage the resort.

The new Resort is intended to include a luxury Hotel (including restaurants, meeting facilities, fitness facilities etc) and Lodge, along with approximately 33 cabins, 14 two bedroom units plus 18 three bedroom residences.

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

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

Overseas Investment Regulations 2005
28(a) – Consequential benefits
28(f) – Advance significant Government policy or strategy

More informationJames Dunne
Chen Palmer
P O Box 2160
WELLINGTON 6015
Retrospective penalty$8,000 for each case