Confusion over GATS rules for land sales to overseas interests
The Royal Forest and Bird Protection Society is calling on the government to sort out mixed messages over the possible
impact of General Agreement on Trade in Services (GATS) on the regulation of coastal and other rural land sales to
overseas interests.
In reply to a question in Parliament on Tuesday, Finance Minister, Michael Cullen, indicated that tighter controls on
the sale of coastal land to offshore interests could contravene GATS if the controls covered land used for trade in
services such as tourism.
Yet New Zealand's schedule under GATS is meant to exempt the Overseas Investment Commission's consideration of rural
land sales from GATS rules.
"Can the government control the sale of coastal land to overseas interests or not? Or does GATS and the narrow scope of
the current exemption constrain New Zealand's ability to implement effective controls?" Forest and Bird spokesperson
Geoff Keey said.
"The government should clarify what it can do to protect the public interest in coastal lands," Geoff Keey said.
"Coastal land is prime land for tourism, commercial recreation and accommodation development. On the face of it these
would be services that GATS covers. Yet coastal land is also important for conservation and public recreation," Mr Keey
said.
"Government funds to purchase land for conservation cannot afford to compete with extremely wealthy overseas buyers."
"Forest and Bird is seeking a moratorium on coastal land sales to overseas interests while current policy and
legislation is reviewed."
"Forest and Bird understands that the government is currently considering a request from an unnamed other government to
also open up "Sporting and recreational services to GATS," Geoff Keey said.
"If this request is accepted, it could further tie Government's hands and undo any controls on overseas ownership if
the foreign corporate or person wanted to buy land for recreational or sporting use such as a golf course, or a fishing,
tramping, walking, or hunting venture," Geoff Keey said.