By Duncan Garner
Voters have sent a clear message in a special 3 News Reid Research poll: don't let overseas investors buy Kiwi land – especially farms.
The poll comes on the back of the Chinese bid for the 16 Crafar farms and ¾ of New Zealanders want to keep our farms in Kiwi hands.
Our political leaders have sensed the public's unease at the deal.
Last month John Key stated his concerns by saying: “If we ended up as tenants in our own country, then I can't see how that would be in our best interests.”
Winston Peters last week said: “Be like the Japanese – keep your land and assets in your own hands."
In the latest 3 News Reid Research poll we asked 1,000 voters ‘should the Government change the rules around selling land – like farms to foreigners?’
- An overwhelming 75.5 percent said, ‘yes, tighten the rules’
- 14 percent said leave it as it is
- Just 8 percent said relax the rules and let the foreigners buy up our land
The Government is reviewing overseas investment rules right now and Mr Key says the public's opinion is strong – he rejects it's an Asian sentiment.
“My concern is less about that and more about the trend that I see and internationally we are a great place to produce food," Mr Key says.
Mr Goff says there should be a benefit test.
“Nothing should be sold unless there's a clear benefit to New Zealand."
The last Labour Government tightened the rules so strategic assets like Auckland Airport couldn't be sold.
But it is clear there is now a growing political consensus for more change so productive Kiwi land doesn't go offshore.
“We don't want to see our biggest industry, dairy sold out to overseas interests," Mr Goff says.
But foreigners already own large chunks of farmland in New Zealand.
Since 2006 the Overseas Investment Office has approved at least 13 foreign applications to buy dairy farms.
The investors came from America, Russia, Germany, The Netherlands, Ireland and Australia.
Mr Key says that shows a real trend in overseas owners buying land here – and that's why he's reviewing the rules.
“If we're going to allow this on a wholesale basis we should do it with our eyes wide open,” he says.
But it seems clear changes are coming; the people are demanding it and finally the politicians are lining up together.
3 News