New Zealand

The creation this week of the 'Save our Farms' campaign to block foreign ownership of New Zealand farm land has fired up a debate that needs to be had.

Auckland lawyer Tony Bouchier says his telephone has been ringing red hot with support for a campaign to stop New Zealand farms being sold to overseas owners

Nationwide advertisements have been placed in newspapers today, calling for an end to foreign ownership of New Zealand farmland.

Fears foreign interests have been mounting a major land grab in New Zealand, have been shot down by global accountancy firm KPMG.

A poll shows 75.5 percent of voters want the rules on foreigners buying NZ farmland tightened, with only 8 percent saying they should be relaxed.

Public opinion is clearly against the Crafar farms sale on the basis that NZ is "selling the farm", while selling a controlling stake in a processing plant is seen as another issue altogether. There is a strong argument for conditionality either way, writes Fran O'Sullivan.

Prime Minister John Key yesterday warned of other potential foreign buyers of large tracts of New Zealand farmland lining up behind the Hong Kong company bidding for the Crafar farms as his Government signalled a new focus on overseas investment rules.

The New Zealand Government has signalled it is unlikely to change overseas investment rules to make it easier for land to be sold to foreigners.

New Zealand's Green Party has drafted a bill seeking to stop overseas buyers snapping up large tracts of NZ land. Australian farmers also fear they may have trouble coping with future food and water demands if foreign interests snap up too many of the nation's agricultural resources.

This Bill is designed to retain ownership and control of sensitive land within New Zealand.

If the offer is successful, Singapore's Olam will either hold 100 per cent or between 50.1 per cent and 90 per cent of NZ Farming Systems Uruguay

Maori party maverick MP Hone Harawira wants to ban the sale of New Zealand land to foreigners.