Decision Summary - Fernandez-Rivera (Blanca) of Spain

Decision number 200820018
Application number 200810062
Date 6 August 2008
Offeror/applicant Fernandez-Rivera (Blanca) of Spain
Ultimate applicant beneficial ownership 100 percent - Spain
Beneficial overseas ownership  
- Asset current 0 percent
- Asset proposed 100 percent
- Share current N/A
- Share proposed N/A
Offeree(s)/seller(s) Bellview Enterprises Limited
30 percent - New Zealand, Bell (David)
30 percent - New Zealand, Bell (Janice Kirkby)
20 percent - New Zealand, Bell (Phillip Telford)
20 percent - New Zealand, Bell (Michelle Elisabeth)
Business activities Agriculture - Grain, Sheep, Beef, Cattle - Beef Farming
Details of land involved
  1. 206.8829 hectares of freehold situated at Blue Grey Farm, Springs Junction, Westland being CTs WS5A/242 and WS1A/232 (Westland Registry); and
  2. 93.8871 hectares of leasehold situated at Blue Grey Farm, Springs Junction, Westland being WS1C/1417 (Westland Registry).
Regions involved West Coast
Total consideration $3,375,000
Consent sought To acquire:
  1. an interest in land which, either alone or together with any associated land of that type, exceeds 0.4 hectares and is or includes land held for conservation purposes under the Conservation Act 1987; and
  2. an interest in land which, either alone or together with any associated land of that type, is or includes non-urban land and exceeds 5 hectares in area; and
  3. an interest in land which, either alone or together with any associated land, exceeds 0.4 hectares and adjoins land held for conservation purposes under the Conservation Act 1987 (if that conservation land exceeds 0.4 hectares in area).
Rationale

The application has been approved as it met the criteria.

The Overseas Investment Office is satisfied that the individuals with control of the Applicant collectively have business experience and acumen relevant to the overseas investment, and that the Applicant has demonstrated financial commitment towards the overseas investment. The Overseas Investment Office is further satisfied that each individual that exercises control over the Applicant is of good character and is not an individual of the kind referred to in section 7(1) of the Immigration Act 1987 and the Applicant is intending to reside in New Zealand indefinitely.

Background to the Investment:
The Applicant is currently in Spain as she is responsible for elderly mother's healthcare. She and her husband intend to move permanently to New Zealand to live indefinitely.

Outline of the Investment:
The Applicant has entered a sale and purchase agreement with Bellview Enterprises Limited (Vendor) to acquire the Land. The acquisition is conditional on obtaining the Overseas Investment Office's consent and includes two Department of Conservation grazing licences to which the Overseas Investment Act 2005 does not apply.

Rationale for the Investment:
As part of the Applicant's and her husband's New Zealand residence permits, they must make New Zealand their home within the next five years. To demonstrate this, they must purchase a family home within twelve months from the permit's date of issue. The Applicant and her husband will use the Land for their long-term permanent residence.

Contact Charlie Brown
Rhodes & Co.
PO Box 13444
CHRISTCHURCH

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