Applicant
General Distributors Limited
Case number(s)
202000234
Decision date
Type
Decision
DecisionConsent granted
Section 13(1)(c) Overseas Investment Act 2005
Decision MakerOverseas Investment Office
Decision Date27 July 2020
Pathway(s)Significant business assets
InvestmentAn overseas investment in significant business assets, being a leasehold interest for 45 years in approximately 4.399 hectares of non-sensitive land at Wiri Station Road, Auckland.
Consideration$326,607,882
ApplicantGeneral Distributors Limited
Australian Public (99.45%)
New Zealand Public (0.36%)
Various overseas persons (0.19%)
VendorAS NZ Property (Wiri) Pty Ltd
AustralianSuper Pty Limited, Australia (100.0%)
Background

The Applicant is the property owning and leasing vehicle for Woolworths New Zealand Limited, which owns and operates the Countdown chain of supermarkets within New Zealand.

The Applicant plans on leasing 4.399 hectares of land at Wiri Station Road, subdividing and creating a separate title for the land (which is currently bare), and building a temperature controlled storage facility on the land for its supermarket business.

The Applicant has satisfied the OIO that the individuals who will control the investment have the relevant business experience and acumen and are of good character. The Applicant has also demonstrated financial commitment to the investment.
More informationAnna Crosbie
Russell McVeagh (Auckland)
PO Box 8
AUCKLAND 1140