Hon Trevor Mallard
Minister for State Owned Enterprises
Parekura Horomia
Minister of Maori Affairs

21 March 2007 Media Statement

Sale deferred for year

The sale of Landcorp's Whenuakite and Rangiputa stations has been deferred for a year, State Owned Enterprises Minister Trevor Mallard said today.

"The Landcorp board has informed me it will defer the sale of these two properties for one year to allow time for the government to complete its wider review of the procedures for disposal of land held by government departments, agencies, SOEs and Crown Entities.

"The deferral will enable a consistent policy to be applied to all surplus Crown and SOE land in line with our announcement recently that we wanted to see Crown land that has special value beyond its monetary worth protected - for instance, land that has conservation, recreation or heritage values," Trevor Mallard said.

"The deferral follows discussions with Maori Affairs Minister Parekura Horomia and members of the Labour Maori caucus who were keen to see this happen."

The decision will result in a reduced dividend to the Crown, Trevor Mallard said.

Mr Horomia welcomed Landcorp's decision. "This is a constructive and positive development and a sensible way forward while the review around the disposal of Crown land is underway.

''It gives us all time to consider all the relevant details, including the various interests in the future use of the land.

"I met with members of the Hauraki Maori Trust Board and the Tainui Waka Confederation last night to inform them of the latest developments and they are pleased with the progress that has been made.''

ENDS

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