| Decision | Consent granted Section 12(1)(a) Overseas Investment Act 2005 |
|---|---|
| Decision maker | Toitū Te Whenua Land Information New Zealand |
| Decision date | 2 September 2024 |
| Pathway | Sensitive land – Benefit test |
| Investment | Acquisition of a freehold interest in approximately 273 hectares of land in Waiotiri, Whangarei District, comprising 135 hectares of land at Taylor Road and 138 hectares of land at Pikiwahine Road. |
| Consideration | Withheld under section 9(2)(b)(ii) of the Official Information Act 1982 |
| Applicant | Kauri Forestry LP Switzerland 69% Germany 31% |
| Vendors | Warwick William Mason and Raewyn Margaret Mason New Zealand 100% |
| Background | The Applicant is a New Zealand limited partnership, established as part of the Craigmore Sustainables Group. It is a forestry-specific investment vehicle and already holds a significant amount of land in New Zealand for forestry investment purposes. The land is currently primarily used for sheep and beef grazing. The Taylor Road property has 12 hectares already planted in pinus radiata. The Applicant will convert approximately 151 hectares of the land into a commercial plantation forest (predominantly pinus radiata) with planting scheduled for winter 2025. The Applicant intends to harvest the crop of trees once matured and replant following harvest. The remaining land is comprised of mostly native bush. The Pikiwahine Road property consists entirely of Land Use Capability (LUC) class 6, and the Taylor Road property consists of LUC 4 (approx. 33 hectares) and LUC 6 (105 hectares). The main benefits to New Zealand are likely to include increased export receipts and advancement of significant government policy through emissions reductions. Consent was granted as the Applicant has met the investor test criterion and the investment is likely to benefit New Zealand. |
| More information | Christina Lefever Lefever Law PO Box 33064 Barrington Christchurch 8244 |