| Decision | Consent granted Section 12(a) Overseas Investment Act 2005 |
|---|---|
| Decision Maker | Overseas Investment Office |
| Decision Date | 27 April 2021 |
| Pathway(s) | Forestry (Special forestry - One-off purchase) |
| Investment | A freehold interest in approximately 1,178 hectares of land at 57 Glenbrook Road, Hawkes Bay, known as Glenbrook Station |
| Consideration | Withheld under s9(2)(b)(ii) of the Official Information Act |
| Applicant | Mahia Forest Limited Germany (100%) |
| Vendor | W E Jeffries Limited New Zealand (100%) |
| Background | The Applicant has been granted consent to acquire the Land under the special test relating to forestry activities that is set out in section 16A(4) of the Act. The Applicant has been investing in New Zealand since 2000 and is beneficially owned by a family-owned limited partnership registered in Germany (the von Gemmingen-Hornberg family). The Vendors use the Land as a sheep and beef farm, and the Applicant intends to develop the Land into a commercial forest. The Applicant plans to plant the Land with a mix of pinus radiata (80%) and alternative species. Planting is intended to commence on the Land from 2021/22. The Applicant plans to plant approximately 971 ha, with the Applicant being permitted to retain approximately 60 ha of better land for farming purposes. The remainder of the Land will be unplanted areas associated with forestry activities, including native bush (71 ha), infrastructure (43 ha) and buffer land (23 ha). The Applicant has agreed to protect and provide access to various areas of special interest. The Applicant has also offered special land river bed to the Crown for $1 consideration. By way of background, the majority of the Land that is the subject of this application is in Land Use Capability class 6 (approximately 1,115 ha) which is generally considered suitable for forestry. |
| More information | Jonathan Norman Sainsbury Logan and Williams PO Box 41 NAPIER |