Applicant
Griffith (Philip)
Case number(s)
200610022
Decision date
Type
Decision
Decision number200610022
Application number200610091
Date3 March 2006
Offeror/applicantGriffith (Philip) of United States of America
Ultimate applicant beneficial ownership100 percent - United States of America
Beneficial overseas ownership 
- Asset currentN/A
- Asset proposedN/A
- Share current41.159 percent
- Share proposed57.7465 percent
Offeree(s)/seller(s)Existing shareholders in Gibbston Valley Wines Limited other than Phillip Griffith
63.17 percent - New Zealand, Stone (S and M)
16.12 percent - New Zealand, New Zealand Public
14.37 percent - New Caledonia, New Caledonian Public
5.84 percent - United States of America, United States Public
0.5 percent - United Kingdom, United Kingdom Public
Business activitiesAgriculture - Horticulture & Fruit - Viticulture
Details of land involved39.8288 hectares of freehold situated at Bendigo Station, Loop Road, north of Cromwell; Kawarau Gorge SH6; and Gibbston Highway, Gibbston Valley. being CT 17C/428, part section 3 SO 2464, 10D/306, part CT 5184 (Otago Registry).
Regions involvedOtago
Total consideration$1,905,404
Consent sought - 1995 RegsTo acquire up to 46.71 percent of the specified securities of and/or having the right to exercise or control the exercise of the voting power of and/or appoint or control the appointment of the board of directors of Gibbston Valley Wines Limited.
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.

Gibbston Valley Wines Limited (GVWL) has previously received consent to acquire land totalling 39.8288 hectares situated in Central Otago for viticultural developments. GVWL operates a vineyard and winery operation with associated restaurant and tourist activities in Central Otago.

This application is for Philip Griffith's retrospective approval to increase his shareholding in GBWL. In March 2000, Mr Griffith acquired 202,630 shares in GVWL increasing Mr Griffith's shareholding in GVWL to 25.79 percent (refer A200510073). In July 2000, 1,587,837 convertible notes were issued by GVWL to Mr Griffith in consideration for funds he contributed to GVWL. The convertible notes converted into shares in GVWL on 31 July 2004, increasing Mr Griffith's shareholding in GVWL to 46.71 percent. The shares in GVWL were issued in return for funds Mr Griffith contributed to GVWL to enable GVWL to undertake capital development.

The transaction has resulted in the introduction of capital for GVWL to undertake its viticultural developments. These have resulted in the following benefits:

  1. the creation of new employment opportunities;
  2. the introduction of capital for development purposes;
  3. increased productivity; and
  4. increased processing of primary products.
ContactAlistair Moore
Anderson Lloyd Caudwell
Private Bag 1959
DUNEDIN