Kia ora Athinia

 

Please refer to the attached letter.

 

Ngā mihi

 

 

Pete Hill
Kaitohutohu Tumuaki Principal Advisor

Ministerial Support and Official Correspondence

 

[1][email address] | DDI 04 460 2784 | MOB 027 235 8389

 

 

  Wellington Office, Level 7, Radio New Zealand
House, 155 The Terrace
[2]Toitu Te Whenua colour PO Box 5501, Wellington 6145, New Zealand
logo
[3]www.linz.govt.nz | [4]data.linz.govt.nz

 

[5]link to facebook          [6]link to
LinkedIn          [7]link to
Twitter          [8]Link to YouTube

 

 

 

 

-----Original Message-----
From: Athina Andonatou <[FOI #18437 email]>
Sent: Friday, 4 February 2022 12:58 p.m.
To: Ministerial Support <[LINZ request email]>
Subject: Official Information request - Rules which help foreign investors
purchase farmland in New Zealand for forestry conversions are under review

 

Dear Overseas Investment Office,

It was with surprise to read the headline "Rules which help foreign
investors purchase farmland in New Zealand for forestry conversions are
under review"
[9]https://apc01.safelinks.protection.outlo...

 

My questions related to this are:

1) What rules which help foreign investors purchase farmland in New
Zealand for forestry conversions are under review? And why? Please provide
all documentation related to discussions around this matter, specifically
why the review? Who is authorising the review? And are there possible
conflicts of interest involved by those authorising the review?

 

2) A statement made in the article above states "Figures provided to RNZ
by the Overseas Investment Office (OIO) show in the last three years
36,000 hectares of farmland has been approved for sale to overseas
investors under the special forestry test".

- Please provide the names of the people or businesses who were approved
to buy under the "special forestry test"? And what if any conflicts of
interest may be involved?

 

Thank you in advance

 

Yours faithfully,

 

Athina Andonatou

 

-------------------------------------------------------------------

 

This is an Official Information request made via the FYI website.

 

Please use this email address for all replies to this request:

[10][FOI #18437 email]

 

Is [11][LINZ request email] the wrong address for Official
Information requests to Land Information New Zealand? If so, please
contact us using this form:

[12]https://apc01.safelinks.protection.outlo...

 

Disclaimer: This message and any reply that you make will be published on
the internet. Our privacy and copyright policies:

[13]https://apc01.safelinks.protection.outlo...

 

If you find this service useful as an Official Information officer, please
ask your web manager to link to us from your organisation's OIA or LGOIMA
page.

 

 

-------------------------------------------------------------------

--------------------------------------------------------------------------

This message contains information, which may be in confidence and may be
subject to legal privilege. If you are not the intended recipient, you
must not peruse, use, disseminate, distribute or copy this message. If you
have received this message in error, please notify us immediately (Phone
0800 665 463 or [email address]) and destroy the original message. LINZ
accepts no responsibility for changes to this email, or for any
attachments, after its transmission from LINZ. Thank You.

References

Visible links
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http://www.linz.govt.nz/
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13. https://apc01.safelinks.protection.outlo...

hide quoted sections

[UNCLASSIFIED]

 

Kia ora Athina

 

Thank you for your request under the Official Information Act 1982 which
was transferred from Land Information New Zealand on 10 February 2022. A
response will be provided in accordance with the Act (please see the
Office of the Ombudsman Website for more details –
[1]http://www.ombudsman.parliament.nz/).

 

If the information requested cannot be made available without substantial
collation or research, under section 18(f) and section 18A(1)(a) of the
Official Information Act 1982 we may refuse the request or fix a charge
under section 15. If your request falls into this category we will inform
you as soon as possible.

 

Ngâ mihi

Kelly

 

[2]cid:image002.png@01D660F8.4E0080A0

 

Kelly Shen | Ministerial Advisor | Te Tai Ôhanga – The Treasury

Tel: +64 4 917 6295 |  Email/IM: [3][email address]

Visit us online at [4]https://treasury.govt.nz/ and follow us on
[5]Twitter, [6]LinkedIn and [7]Instagram

My working hours: Mon 7am – 3pm; Tue 7am – 3pm; Wed off; Thur 7am – 3pm;
Fri 7am – 3pm

 

Link: [8]File-List
Link: [9]Edit-Time-Data
Link: [10]themeData
Link: [11]colorSchemeMapping

--------------------------------------------------------------------------

CONFIDENTIALITY NOTICE

The information in this email is confidential to the Treasury, intended
only for the addressee(s), and may also be legally privileged. If you are
not an intended addressee:
a. please immediately delete this email and notify the Treasury by return
email or telephone (64 4 472 2733);
b. any use, dissemination or copying of this email is strictly prohibited
and may be unlawful.

 

References

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7. https://www.instagram.com/nztreasury/
8. file:///tmp/Signature_files/filelist.xml
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10. file:///tmp/Signature_files/themedata.thmx
11. file:///tmp/Signature_files/colorschememapping.xml

hide quoted sections

Kia ora Athinia

 

Attached is a response to part 2 of your Official Information Act request.

 

Ngā mihi

 

 

Pete Hill
Kaitohutohu Tumuaki Principal Advisor

Ministerial Support and Official Correspondence

 

[1][email address] | DDI 04 460 2784 | MOB 027 235 8389

 

 

  Wellington Office, Level 7, Radio New Zealand
House, 155 The Terrace
[2]Toitu Te Whenua colour PO Box 5501, Wellington 6145, New Zealand
logo
[3]www.linz.govt.nz | [4]data.linz.govt.nz

 

[5]link to facebook          [6]link to
LinkedIn          [7]link to
Twitter          [8]Link to YouTube

 

 

 

 

 

From: Ministerial Support
Sent: Thursday, 10 February 2022 12:08 p.m.
To: Athina Andonatou <[FOI #18437 email]>
Subject: RE: Official Information request - Rules which help foreign
investors purchase farmland in New Zealand for forestry conversions are
under review

 

Kia ora Athinia

 

Please refer to the attached letter.

 

Ngā mihi

 

 

Pete Hill
Kaitohutohu Tumuaki Principal Advisor

Ministerial Support and Official Correspondence

 

[9][email address] | DDI 04 460 2784 | MOB 027 235 8389

 

 

  Wellington Office, Level 7, Radio New Zealand
House, 155 The Terrace
[10]Toitu Te Whenua colour PO Box 5501, Wellington 6145, New Zealand
logo
[11]www.linz.govt.nz | [12]data.linz.govt.nz

 

[13]link to facebook          [14]link to
LinkedIn          [15]link to
Twitter          [16]Link to YouTube

 

 

 

 

-----Original Message-----
From: Athina Andonatou
<[17][FOI #18437 email]>
Sent: Friday, 4 February 2022 12:58 p.m.
To: Ministerial Support <[18][LINZ request email]>
Subject: Official Information request - Rules which help foreign investors
purchase farmland in New Zealand for forestry conversions are under review

 

Dear Overseas Investment Office,

It was with surprise to read the headline "Rules which help foreign
investors purchase farmland in New Zealand for forestry conversions are
under review"
[19]https://apc01.safelinks.protection.outlo...

 

My questions related to this are:

1) What rules which help foreign investors purchase farmland in New
Zealand for forestry conversions are under review? And why? Please provide
all documentation related to discussions around this matter, specifically
why the review? Who is authorising the review? And are there possible
conflicts of interest involved by those authorising the review?

 

2) A statement made in the article above states "Figures provided to RNZ
by the Overseas Investment Office (OIO) show in the last three years
36,000 hectares of farmland has been approved for sale to overseas
investors under the special forestry test".

- Please provide the names of the people or businesses who were approved
to buy under the "special forestry test"? And what if any conflicts of
interest may be involved?

 

Thank you in advance

 

Yours faithfully,

 

Athina Andonatou

 

-------------------------------------------------------------------

 

This is an Official Information request made via the FYI website.

 

Please use this email address for all replies to this request:

[20][FOI #18437 email]

 

Is [21][LINZ request email] the wrong address for Official
Information requests to Land Information New Zealand? If so, please
contact us using this form:

[22]https://apc01.safelinks.protection.outlo...

 

Disclaimer: This message and any reply that you make will be published on
the internet. Our privacy and copyright policies:

[23]https://apc01.safelinks.protection.outlo...

 

If you find this service useful as an Official Information officer, please
ask your web manager to link to us from your organisation's OIA or LGOIMA
page.

 

 

-------------------------------------------------------------------

--------------------------------------------------------------------------

This message contains information, which may be in confidence and may be
subject to legal privilege. If you are not the intended recipient, you
must not peruse, use, disseminate, distribute or copy this message. If you
have received this message in error, please notify us immediately (Phone
0800 665 463 or [email address]) and destroy the original message. LINZ
accepts no responsibility for changes to this email, or for any
attachments, after its transmission from LINZ. Thank You.

References

Visible links
1. mailto:[email address]
2. https://www.linz.govt.nz/
3. http://www.linz.govt.nz/
http://www.linz.govt.nz/
4. http://www.data.linz.govt.nz/
http://www.data.linz.govt.nz/
5. https://www.facebook.com/landinformation...
6. https://www.linkedin.com/company/land-in...
7. https://twitter.com/LandInfoNZ
8. https://www.youtube.com/user/linzvideoof...
9. mailto:[email address]
10. https://www.linz.govt.nz/
11. http://www.linz.govt.nz/
http://www.linz.govt.nz/
12. http://www.data.linz.govt.nz/
http://www.data.linz.govt.nz/
13. https://www.facebook.com/landinformation...
14. https://www.linkedin.com/company/land-in...
15. https://twitter.com/LandInfoNZ
16. https://www.youtube.com/user/linzvideoof...
17. mailto:[FOI #18437 email]
18. mailto:[LINZ request email]
19. https://apc01.safelinks.protection.outlo...
20. mailto:[FOI #18437 email]
21. mailto:[LINZ request email]
22. https://apc01.safelinks.protection.outlo...
23. https://apc01.safelinks.protection.outlo...

hide quoted sections

[UNCLASSIFIED]

 

Kia ora Athina

 

Thank you again for your request under the Official Information Act 1982
which was transferred from Toitû te Whenua Land Information New Zealand on
10 February 2022. You requested:

 

What rules which help foreign investors purchase farmland in New Zealand
for forestry conversions are under review? And why? Please provide all
documentation related to discussions around this matter, specifically why
the review? Who is authorising the review? And are there possible
conflicts of interest involved by those authorising the review?

 

We are getting in touch to discuss options to rescope your request. As
currently scoped, there is a significant amount of information covered by
the request. For example, your request for all documentation related to
discussions around the Overseas Investment Act 2005 Forestry Review would
require the Treasury to search through a large number of emails and
documents covering a number of years. We would therefore need to consider
refusing the request under section 18(f) of the Act as the information
requested cannot be made available without substantial collation or
research. We would welcome a conversation with you to clarify what
information you are seeking to ensure we are able to provide you with what
you are looking for. Please contact me at [1][email address]. 

 

Please note that some information regarding the Overseas Investment Act
2005 Forestry Review is currently available on our website. In March 2021,
Cabinet agreed to the Terms of Reference for the Forestry Review focusing
on the operation and effectiveness of the forestry changes. The (now
superseded) Terms of Reference of the Forestry Review are available at the
following link [2]here.

 

Additionally, and as you may already be aware, on 24 February Minister
Parker announced that Cabinet has decided to remove forestry conversions
from the ‘special forestry test’ in the Overseas Investment Act 2005 (the
Act). This will mean that when overseas investors are looking to acquire
land for conversion to production forestry, their investment proposal will
be considered under the Act’s Benefit to New Zealand test – rather than
under the streamlined special forestry test. In addition, Cabinet has
agreed to make several minor and technical changes to the forestry
provisions of the Act. You can find the Minister’s press release [3]here.

 

In order to progress these changes Cabinet has also agreed to amend the
Forestry Review – Terms of Reference to shift the focus of the review to
primarily one of legislative change. You can find the Amended Forestry
Review – Terms of Reference via this link [4]here. Treasury is currently
preparing to release the Cabinet paper and associated minutes.

 

Please confirm by COP 8 March whether the information provided above
addressed your request or contact us to rescope your request.

 

Ngâ mihi

Kelly

 

[5]cid:image002.png@01D660F8.4E0080A0

 

Kelly Shen | Ministerial Advisor | Te Tai Ôhanga – The Treasury

Email: [6][email address]

Visit us online at [7]https://treasury.govt.nz/ and follow us on
[8]Twitter, [9]LinkedIn and [10]Instagram

I do not work on Wednesdays and finish at 3pm on other days.

 

Link: [11]File-List
Link: [12]Edit-Time-Data
Link: [13]themeData
Link: [14]colorSchemeMapping

--------------------------------------------------------------------------

CONFIDENTIALITY NOTICE

The information in this email is confidential to the Treasury, intended
only for the addressee(s), and may also be legally privileged. If you are
not an intended addressee:
a. please immediately delete this email and notify the Treasury by return
email or telephone (64 4 472 2733);
b. any use, dissemination or copying of this email is strictly prohibited
and may be unlawful.

 

References

Visible links
1. mailto:[email address]
2. https://www.treasury.govt.nz/sites/defau...
3. https://aus01.safelinks.protection.outlo...
4. https://www.treasury.govt.nz/news-and-ev...
6. mailto:[email address]
7. https://treasury.govt.nz/
8. http://www.twitter.com/nztreasury
9. https://www.linkedin.com/company/576138/
10. https://www.instagram.com/nztreasury/
11. file:///tmp/Signature_files/filelist.xml
12. file:///tmp/Signature_files/editdata.mso
13. file:///tmp/Signature_files/themedata.thmx
14. file:///tmp/Signature_files/colorschememapping.xml

hide quoted sections

Kia ora Athina,

 

Could you please confirm by the end of the day if the information provided
in the email below addresses your request or whether you would like to
rescope your request.

 

You can contact me at [1][email address]

 

Kind regards

 

Jemma

 

 

Jemma Jackson | Analyst, International | Te Tai Ôhanga – The Treasury

Tel: +64 4 9176224 | Email/IM: [2][email address]

Visit us online at [3]https://treasury.govt.nz/ and follow us on
[4]Twitter, [5]LinkedIn and [6]Instagram

 

From: Kelly Shen [TSY]
Sent: Tuesday, 1 March 2022 2:39 pm
To: [7][FOI #18437 email]
Subject: Official Information request - Rules which help foreign investors
purchase farmland in New Zealand for forestry conversions are under review

 

[UNCLASSIFIED]

 

Kia ora Athina

 

Thank you again for your request under the Official Information Act 1982
which was transferred from Toitû te Whenua Land Information New Zealand on
10 February 2022. You requested:

 

What rules which help foreign investors purchase farmland in New Zealand
for forestry conversions are under review? And why? Please provide all
documentation related to discussions around this matter, specifically why
the review? Who is authorising the review? And are there possible
conflicts of interest involved by those authorising the review?

 

We are getting in touch to discuss options to rescope your request. As
currently scoped, there is a significant amount of information covered by
the request. For example, your request for all documentation related to
discussions around the Overseas Investment Act 2005 Forestry Review would
require the Treasury to search through a large number of emails and
documents covering a number of years. We would therefore need to consider
refusing the request under section 18(f) of the Act as the information
requested cannot be made available without substantial collation or
research. We would welcome a conversation with you to clarify what
information you are seeking to ensure we are able to provide you with what
you are looking for. Please contact me at [8][email address]. 

 

Please note that some information regarding the Overseas Investment Act
2005 Forestry Review is currently available on our website. In March 2021,
Cabinet agreed to the Terms of Reference for the Forestry Review focusing
on the operation and effectiveness of the forestry changes. The (now
superseded) Terms of Reference of the Forestry Review are available at the
following link [9]here.

 

Additionally, and as you may already be aware, on 24 February Minister
Parker announced that Cabinet has decided to remove forestry conversions
from the ‘special forestry test’ in the Overseas Investment Act 2005 (the
Act). This will mean that when overseas investors are looking to acquire
land for conversion to production forestry, their investment proposal will
be considered under the Act’s Benefit to New Zealand test – rather than
under the streamlined special forestry test. In addition, Cabinet has
agreed to make several minor and technical changes to the forestry
provisions of the Act. You can find the Minister’s press release [10]here.

 

In order to progress these changes Cabinet has also agreed to amend the
Forestry Review – Terms of Reference to shift the focus of the review to
primarily one of legislative change. You can find the Amended Forestry
Review – Terms of Reference via this link [11]here. Treasury is currently
preparing to release the Cabinet paper and associated minutes.

 

Please confirm by COP 8 March whether the information provided above
addressed your request or contact us to rescope your request.

 

Ngâ mihi

Kelly

 

[12]cid:image002.png@01D660F8.4E0080A0

 

Kelly Shen | Ministerial Advisor | Te Tai Ôhanga – The Treasury

Email: [13][email address]

Visit us online at [14]https://treasury.govt.nz/ and follow us on
[15]Twitter, [16]LinkedIn and [17]Instagram

I do not work on Wednesdays and finish at 3pm on other days.

 

Link: [18]File-List
Link: [19]Edit-Time-Data
Link: [20]themeData
Link: [21]colorSchemeMapping

--------------------------------------------------------------------------

CONFIDENTIALITY NOTICE

The information in this email is confidential to the Treasury, intended
only for the addressee(s), and may also be legally privileged. If you are
not an intended addressee:
a. please immediately delete this email and notify the Treasury by return
email or telephone (64 4 472 2733);
b. any use, dissemination or copying of this email is strictly prohibited
and may be unlawful.

 

References

Visible links
1. mailto:[email address]
2. mailto:[email address]
3. https://treasury.govt.nz/
4. http://www.twitter.com/nztreasury
5. https://www.linkedin.com/company/576138/
6. https://www.instagram.com/nztreasury/
7. mailto:[FOI #18437 email]
8. mailto:[email address]
9. https://www.treasury.govt.nz/sites/defau...
10. https://aus01.safelinks.protection.outlo...
11. https://www.treasury.govt.nz/news-and-ev...
13. mailto:[email address]
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16. https://www.linkedin.com/company/576138/
17. https://www.instagram.com/nztreasury/
18. file:///tmp/Signature_files/filelist.xml
19. file:///tmp/Signature_files/editdata.mso
20. file:///tmp/Signature_files/themedata.thmx
21. file:///tmp/Signature_files/colorschememapping.xml

hide quoted sections

[UNCLASSIFIED]

 

Dear Athina,

 

Please find attached a response to your Official Information Act request.

 

Kind regards,

Nat

 

 

Nat Deys | Ministerial Advisor | Te Tai Ôhanga – The Treasury

Visit us online at [1]https://treasury.govt.nz/ and follow us on
[2]Twitter, [3]LinkedIn and [4]Instagram

 

Link: [5]File-List
Link: [6]Edit-Time-Data
Link: [7]themeData
Link: [8]colorSchemeMapping

--------------------------------------------------------------------------

CONFIDENTIALITY NOTICE

The information in this email is confidential to the Treasury, intended
only for the addressee(s), and may also be legally privileged. If you are
not an intended addressee:
a. please immediately delete this email and notify the Treasury by return
email or telephone (64 4 472 2733);
b. any use, dissemination or copying of this email is strictly prohibited
and may be unlawful.

 

References

Visible links
1. https://treasury.govt.nz/
2. http://www.twitter.com/nztreasury
3. https://www.linkedin.com/company/576138/
4. https://www.instagram.com/nztreasury/
5. file:///tmp/Signature_files/filelist.xml
6. file:///tmp/Signature_files/editdata.mso
7. file:///tmp/Signature_files/themedata.thmx
8. file:///tmp/Signature_files/colorschememapping.xml

hide quoted sections