Hon David Parker
Associate Minister of Finance
19 November 2019
PĀNUI PĀPĀHO
MEDIA STATEMENT
The Government is delivering on its promise to protect New Zealanders’ interests by applying a new national interest
test to the sales of our most sensitive and high risk assets to overseas buyers.
Associate Finance Minister David Parker said under current Overseas Investment Act rules, assets such as ports and
airports, telecommunications infrastructure, electricity and other critical infrastructure are not assessed through a
national interest lens.
“We are introducing a number of new powers, consistent with global best practice, to protect New Zealanders’ best
interests in such important – often monopoly – assets,” David Parker said.
Responding to concerns about overseas investment in water bottling, the Government will also require consideration of
the impact on water quality and sustainability of a water bottling enterprise, when assessing an investment in sensitive
land.
The changes follow last year’s reform that generally banned foreign buyers from purchasing residential homes. That
policy has been a huge success. New Zealanders now have a fairer shot at buying a home.
A “call in” power will apply to the sale of our most strategically important assets, such as firms developing military
technology and direct suppliers to our defence and security agencies. This will apply to assets not currently screened
under the Act.
“The power would only be used to control those investments that pose a significant risk to our national security or
public order,” David Parker said.
“These tests could also be used to control investments in significant media entities where these are likely to damage
our security or democracy.
“These powers will be used rarely and only where necessary for protecting New Zealand,” David Parker said.
Enforcement powers are also being improved. The maximum fixed penalties for not complying will rise from $300,000 to $10
million for corporates.
“Provisions of an existing Ministerial directive will be written into the Act, which requires overseas investments in
farmland to show substantial benefit to New Zealand, by adding something substantially new or creating additional value
to our economy,” David Parker said
“The reforms will apply to all overseas investors, irrespective of where they are from.
“The Government continues to welcome high quality investments that support our plan for a productive, sustainable and
inclusive economy.”
So it is cutting red tape, including setting specific timeframes to give investors greater certainty and exempting a
range of low risk transactions, such as some involving companies that are majority owned and controlled by New
Zealanders.
A Bill implementing the changes will be introduced in early 2020.
ends