| Decision | Consent granted Section 12(1)(a) Overseas Investment Act 2005 |
|---|---|
| Decision maker | Toitū Te Whenua Land Information New Zealand |
| Decision date | 22 July 2025 |
| Pathway | Benefit to New Zealand (Farm to Forestry conversion) |
| Investment | Acquisition of a freehold interest in approximately 344 hectares of land located at 56 Nilsson Road, Kairakau, Hawke’s Bay. |
| Consideration | Withheld under s9(2)(b)(ii) of the Official Information Act 1982 |
| Applicant | Kauri Forestry LP Switzerland 65% Germany 35% |
| Vendors | Joshua William Clyde Marriott, Michelle Elizabeth Martin + Hansen & Bate Trustee Company Ltd as trustees of the Marriott FT New Zealand 100% |
| Background | The Applicant is a New Zealand limited partnership which is part of the Craigmore Sustainables Group. It is a forestry and horticulture investment vehicle which currently holds a significant amount of land in New Zealand for forestry investment purposes. The Applicant is acquiring a cattle breeding and finishing farm in the Central Hawke’s Bay. The land is adjacent to the Applicant's existing forestry operations. The Applicant will convert approximately 264 hectares of the land into commercial plantation forest (predominantly pinus radiata) with planting during winters of 2026 and 2027. Once matured, the crop of trees will be harvested and replanted. The land consists mostly of Land Use Capability (LUC) class 7 (259 hectares) and class 6 (83 hectares), with a small area of class 3 (4 hectares). The key benefits that will likely result from this investment are economic benefits in the form of increased export receipts, creation of employment, and additional capital investment. The other benefit will be carbon and climate change in the form of reduced net carbon emissions. Consent was granted as the Applicant met the investor test criterion and the Investment is likely to benefit New Zealand |
| More information | Christina Lefever PO Box 33064 Barrington, Christchurch 8244 |