Rt Hon Winston Peters

New Zealand First Leader

Member of Parliament for Northland
11 AUGUST 2016

NZ First Bringing Light on True Extent of Foreign Ownership

New Zealand will no longer be in the dark over how much New Zealand land and housing is in foreign hands thanks to a new bill from New Zealand First.

“Foreign ownership of New Zealand properties, businesses and houses poses major risks to our economy and sovereignty and today’s drawing of the Land Transfer (Foreign Ownership of Land Register) Amendment Bill in Parliament is the first step to address them,” says New Zealand First Leader and MP for Northland Rt Hon Winston Peters.

“It is well past time for New Zealand to have a comprehensive database on the extent of foreign ownership of land and property.

“Currently, government has no plan to stop the offshore takeover of New Zealand’s most strategic asset, the rural sector – New Zealand First does.

“Our Bill will ensure a comprehensive register of all foreign-owned New Zealand land is compiled and made available to the general public and policy makers.

“The register will apply to all dealings in ‘land’ as that term is defined in section 2 of the Land Transfer Act 1952 and will provide transparency for concerned New Zealanders.

“With the huge increase of foreign ownership and flood of immigrants into New Zealand, New Zealand First believes this bill is urgently needed,” says Mr Peters.

“After all, what government interested in defending the rights of New Zealanders would want to continue on in blissful ignorance of who owns land and houses in this country.”

ENDS

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