| Decision | Consent granted Section 12(1)(a) Overseas Investment Act 2005 |
|---|---|
| Decision maker | Toitū Te Whenua Land Information New Zealand |
| Decision date | 14 August 2026 |
| Pathway | Sensitive land – Farm land benefit test |
| Investment | Acquisition of approximately 134.7708 hectares of freehold land located at 136 Wells Road, Okoroire, Waikato. |
| Consideration | Withheld under s9(2)(b)(ii) of the Official Information Act 1982 |
| Applicant | Hollywoodbets Brand Pty Limited South Africa 100% |
| Vendors | Gary Erle Harding and Judith Linda Anne Harding as Trustees of the GE Harding Family Trust New Zealand 100% |
| Background | Hollywoodbets Brand Pty Limited is owned by Owen Brian Heffer. It is part of the Hollywoodbets Group, a South African sports betting group of companies whose business activities include horse ownership, stud farms and related ancillary services. Hollywoodbets Brand Pty Limited will nominate its associated company, Hollywood Stud New Zealand Limited, to acquire 134 hectares of farm land in Waikato currently used for farm cropping and a dry stock business. Hollywood Stud New Zealand Limited will develop and operate a thoroughbred breeding and stud farm operation, initially undertaken on 10 hectares, increasing to 32 hectares by the third year of operation. Existing cattle and maize operations will continue on some parts of the land. The main benefits to New Zealand are likely to include capital investment on broodmares, veterinary infrastructure and equine infrastructure; 2 additional full-time employees from the first year of operation; and annual export receipts of $400,000 - $500,000 from the third year of operation. Consent was granted as the Applicant has met the investor test criterion and the investment is likely to benefit New Zealand. |
| More information | Victoria Anderson Morrison Partners Limited Level 12, 41 Shortland Street Auckland 1010 |