MYTH 1: Foreign investment means loss of control
Parliament remains the supreme law-making body, inwards foreign investment must comply with New Zealand laws, and foreigners don't get to vote. Land use and business activity is extensively regulated in New Zealand, for overseas and local investors alike. In 2004, Treasury identified seven statutes that regulated land use in New Zealand and nine more that regulated corporate governance and business behaviour. Of course, Parliament exercises its power to enter into international agreements, including trade and investment agreements that commit it to abiding by the terms of those agreements. But these are the actions of a sovereign state seeking to make it easier for its citizens to trade and invest.
MYTH 2: Selling assets to foreigners means losing an income stream forever - sheer madness
This concern ignores the vendor's ability to invest the proceeds elsewhere. The consideration received by the vendor must adequately compensate for the loss of the earnings stream; otherwise the transaction would not occur. For example, it makes sense to sell a house, to a foreigner or anyone else, when it no longer adequately suits one's purpose. One can use the proceeds to buy a more suitable house. The same is true for investments in business assets.