NZ land sales to foreign investors: What the candidates say

FILE

The Rotorua Daily Post asked the region's seven election candidates what their opinion was on the sale of land and assets to foreign investors.

Fletcher Tabuteau - NZ First candidate for Rotorua:
"Going, going, gone," is not the cry you want to hear when you are talking about our country, and this is a cry that keeps repeating across "Gods-own'' as more and more foreigners pluck up our pristine and very limited supply of land. New Zealand First has a strong history of standing up against such short-sighted folly. Our actions speak for themselves. There is not another party that has the same adamant stance against asset sales. The sale of Lochinver Station is not an investment into New Zealand it is an attempt to bypass New Zealand farmers. New Zealand for New Zealanders.

Rawiri Waititi - Labour Party Waiariki candidate:
I do not support the sale of Lochinver Station, nor do I support the sale of state owned assets. This is also the position of the Labour Party and we will block the sale of Lochinver Station. Maori as kaitiaki (guardians) of the whenua (land) do not see land as a commodity, we see it as a life source, we view it as a taonga (treasure). It is concerning that under National over one million hectares of land has been approved for overseas sale - that is 16 times the size of Lake Taupo. Aotearoa belongs in our hands, not in the hands of foreigners.

Rotorua MP Todd McClay:
Almost every country needs foreign direct investment to grow. In New Zealand there's many examples of foreign investment creating innovation and jobs. The question of where this investment should go and how it is controlled is an important one. In 2010 cabinet strengthened rules around land sales considerably. Today, the sale of sensitive land only goes ahead if strict conditions are met. An overseas buyer must show they will bring substantial and identifiable benefits to New Zealand over and above what a domestic investor would bring. Under these new rules the Lochinver sale can only proceed if greater economic benefit for New Zealand is clearly proven.

Pat Spellman - New Zealand Independent Coalition candidate for Waiariki:
In principal no - I don't support the sale of Lochinver Station to a foreign owner. The fact they're Chinese has nothing to do with it. What we need to look and consider here are the facts. If we keep selling off our land pretty soon we won't have an "our land". I support foreign investment, joint ventures and long term leases - but not the sale of our primary asset - the land.

Annette Sykes - Mana Movement Waiariki candidate:
Absolutely not and the Mana Movement has led the protest against the Trans Pacific Partnership that makes it easier for foreign companies to own their slice of our paradise. The Mana Movement believes strongly that Lochinver Station should not be up for grabs to the highest bidder when the local iwi, Tuwharetoa, are yet to embark upon their treaty settlement process. This view is supported by the stance taken by the late Sir Hepi Te Heuheu who was against the sale of land surrounding the Taupo Airport to foreign investors. To all foreign investors: hands off our land and assets.

Tamati Coffey - Labour Party Rotorua candidate:
For me, and on behalf of so many Kiwis, I don't support the sale of New Zealand land to foreign based individuals or companies. Labour's policy is simple. If you're a permanent resident or you're someone who has a right to live in New Zealand and applying for permanent residency, you can buy here. Under the current regime over a million hectares of farm land has been sold to foreigners. That's not right. It's our duty, to all those that have fought for our land, both Maori and Pakeha, to keep it in New Zealand hands.

Waiariki MP Te Ururoa Flavell:
No, we do not support any foreign ownership of New Zealand land and assets. We believe this nation's land should remain in the hands of New Zealanders however, we are aware of the economic benefits that such purchasing has for New Zealand so we do support the idea of leasing land to foreign investors. The Maori economy is estimated at $37 billion and growing. It is asset rich so there's plenty of untapped potential. We would like to see more linkages between Maori communities and companies that have the capacity to make use of land in New Zealand.

*Since this article was compiled two more candidates have entered the Rotorua race - Act's Lyall Russell and the Conservatives' Michael Davidson.