New campaign aims to keep NZ farms in NZ hands

01 Oct 2010 08:53p.m.

Warren Matthews wrote:

@ lightseed 30 Sep 2010 9:29p.m. Aren't you just the kettle calling the pot black? Quoted from overseaspropertymall, 'This clearly establishes that individuals cannot own Chinese property unless they live in the country by means of legal resident status. Even then, the rule clearly indicates that only one property can be bought and only if the resident has been living in China for longer than one year, either being employed, or as a student. Remember that a way around this is to own commercial property (which can be a buy-to-let property) either as a WFOE or JV.' This speaks of individuals, there are loopholes, if people are really interested, they can and should find out for themselves without taking my word or others as gospel. But with regards to your political statements, keep them coming, more and more people are waking up every day to the Labour = National, Blue = Red, Purple = Purple facade.

01 Oct 2010 05:33p.m.

ian wrote:

This is worth fighting for---Do not sell land--we will not get it back in NZ ownership ever again.We might as well live in any other country in the world,as our NZ identity will have been removed. If we must lease the land, for a specific time period only.These foreigners know that what we have in NZ is precious, and will pay any price to own it.

01 Oct 2010 02:33p.m.

Alan wrote:

Only the stupid sell there country

30 Sep 2010 11:20p.m.

Samantha wrote:

As a 3 generation farmer we would cringe at the thought of farm prices going sky high which they will do with overseas buyers being able to push them up which will make it impossible for 4th generation son to make it work. The reason NZ has it's green image portrayed to the over seas visitors is because of the huge effort and care farmers take in their land. KEEP NZ LAND IN NZ OWNERSHIP to save this special piece of paradise for OUR NEXT GENERATION. Time the government listened to Farmers I say!!!!!!

30 Sep 2010 09:38p.m.

Janet Whittington wrote:

I agree with him. But for the reasons of money honey!

The Chinese leased Hong Kong to the British - and look at how well that worked out for them when they got it back!

Our farming land is going to be worth more and more in the future as the world needs more food. We can only benefit from retaining control and ownership and leasing it out to the highest bidder. If the predictions of a world demand for food continuing to increase, then we can only gain more from rising leases in the future.

30 Sep 2010 09:29p.m.

lightseed wrote:

tim, that's why Fontera own quite a few Chinese farms huh. Please learn facts before you comment false facts. As long as Fontera is buying up farms in China, south America, USA, Europe then NZ really can't say we don't want others coming here and buying our land why our company owned by NZ farmers are purchasing large amounts of farm land internationally. And yes many of you are racist, you haven't commented about farms being brought buy Americans or British, or Australian Farmers coming over here. Actually some of yo are rather dumb, because when large amounts of farms were sold in the south island to Chinese and Russian buyers under labour you remained silent. When under Labour the South Island Power Grid was sold to American interests you remained quiet. I see none of you commenting on the recent article on this site of Fontera progressing the purchase of two more farms in China.

30 Sep 2010 08:05p.m.

ralph wrote:

Why should we sell off our farms into foreigners ownership? As far i can see if we sold our land to foreign ownship we all will end up working for them or they will bring there own labour and do we want that ? and there will be no more aotearoa to be called our own. Our ancesters cleared the land with their hands and toil, not to have it sold to overseas or handed back to useless iwi for that matter! NO to selling to foreigners!

30 Sep 2010 07:57p.m.

Tim Hall wrote:

Racism? Yes. Any one who doesn't live here and is not of the New Zealand race - Citizen. Ownership and not shadow companies. I expect Nik only wants to sell a farm. What may not be known is large sections of the Chinese export industry are REQUIRED to reinvest 50% of their profits off shore. Chinese overseas investment was UP 50-100% in the last year. NOTE!!! Many large companies will have a war chest of a $billion, yes $1bn just for this. With this, a centralised economy and money that must be spent (and not on dividends) return on capital is not an issue. With many of the country's assets in $US, which is and likely to continue to substantially depreciate, any investment in assets which are likely to maintain their value are targets. Unmined minerals are a favourite, locking them up for a fraction of their value. Edit this as you like, but do ask Nik to buy a Chinese farm.

30 Sep 2010 07:56p.m.

Richard wrote:

I am a loyal National supporter, but if the PM and others in government allow NZ farmland to be sold to countries that will not allow us to buy land in their country, than I will vote against them next time.

30 Sep 2010 07:47p.m.

marcus wrote:

100% behind him. we are selling the asset which generates the bulk of our nations income , always has. Allow Residential yes but not farms over a certain size. why buy our diary products when u can buy the land and produce it urself.. wake up nz