| Decision | Consent granted Section 12(1)(a) and Section 13(1)(a) Overseas Investment Act 2005 |
|---|---|
| Decision maker | Toitū Te Whenua Land Information New Zealand |
| Decision date | 18 December 2025 |
| Pathways | Sensitive land – Benefit test Significant business assets National interest assessment |
| Investment | Acquisition of up to 38.3% of the interest in the Puhoi to Warkworth private-public partnership, the value of the assets exceeds $100 million, which gives an indirect leasehold interest in approximately 1,037.71 hectares of land located between Pūhoi and Warkworth. |
| Consideration | Withheld under section 9(2)(b)(ii) of the Official Information Act 1982 |
| Applicant | John Laing Investments NX2 Holding Limited United States 27% |
| Vendor | Public Infrastructure Partners II LP New Zealand 100% |
| Background | The Applicant is part of John Laing Group. The John Laing Group is an international infrastructure investor. As part of the investment the Applicant will acquire interests in the private-public partnership to maintain the Pūhoi to Warkworth motorway. The Applicant intends to passively hold its interest in accordance with the existing agreements. This application was subject to a national interest assessment because the Applicant is a non-New Zealand government investor. The main benefits to New Zealand are that the Investment is likely to reduce the risk this public-private partnership from becoming illiquid and supports the Government’s public-private partnership strategy by providing flexibility to investors therefore encouraging these types of future investments. Consent was granted as the Applicant has met the investor test criterion and the Investment is likely to benefit New Zealand. The Minister of Finance has decided that the Investment is not contrary to New Zealand’s national interest. |
| More information | Cameron Reeves Mayne Wetherell PO Box 3797 Shortland Street Auckland |