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Applicant
Aquila Capital Holding GmbH
Case number(s)
202300767
Decision date
Type
Decision
DecisionConsent granted
Section 12(1)(a) Overseas Investment Act 2005
Decision makerThe Minister for Land Information and the Associate Minister of Finance
Decision date3 April 2024
Pathway(s)Sensitive land - Farm land benefit test
Investment

Acquisition of a leasehold interest in approximately:

  • 54.9029 hectares of land at Moroa Road/Bidwells Cutting Road (Greytown 1 Land);
  • 24.7085 hectares of land at Moroa Road, Tauherenikau 5771 (Greytown 2 Land);
  • 5.4679 hectares of land at Moroa Road, Tauherenikau 5771 (Greytown 3 Land);
  • 49.211 hectares of land at Moroa Road, Tauherenikau 5771 (Greytown 4 Land);
  • 86.2423 hectares of land at Moroa Road/Bidwells Cutting Road (Greytown 5 Land); and
  • 44.575 hectares of land at 250 Moroa Road, Tauherenikau 5771 (Greytown 6 Land).
     
ConsiderationWithheld under s9(2)(b)(ii) of the Official Information Act 1982
ApplicantAquila Capital Holding GmbH
Germany 60%
Japan 31%
Various 9%

Far North Solar Farm Limited 
Australia 70%
New Zealand 30%
LessorsIan Kelvin Field and Vivien Elizabeth Field (owner of Greytown 1 Land, Greytown 2 Land, Greytown 3 Land, and Greytown 4 Land).
Andrew James Field and Michelle Jody Field (owner of Greytown 5 Land).
Stephen John Cates, Vivienne Rona Malneek and James Frederick Cates as trustees of the Vista Trust (owner of Greytown 6 Land).
New Zealand 100% 
Background

The Applicants are a joint venture whose business is the construction, development, and operation of several solar photovoltaic farms in New Zealand. 

They are acquiring the land to develop a solar farm with an anticipated installed capacity of 174.4 MWp, which is enough to power approximately 38,974 homes a year, by end 2026. 

The main benefits to New Zealand are capital expenditure on the solar farm, creation of jobs, better energy security, and alignment with government policy.

Consent was granted as the Applicants have met the investor test criterion and the investment is likely to benefit New Zealand. 

More informationPavanie Edirisuriya
DLA Piper New Zealand
Level 15, PwC Tower 
15 Customs Street West 
Auckland Central

This assessment report was published as part of an Official Information Act request.

Overseas Investment - Farm Land Conversion (Solar and Forestry)

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