New Zealand

The head of New Zealand's main farming organization on Tuesday said it welcomed Chinese investment, but urged prospective buyers of farmland to understand the pressures facing New Zealand farmers.

The tiny Grand Duchy of Luxembourg and principality of Monaco have received approval to "invest" in more New Zealand land during the past five years than much-maligned China.

James Cameron, Canadian-born director of Titanic and Avatar, has bought up two more properties, bringing his total purchases of farms in the area to at least 12.

"There is a big Swiss company buying up 5 per cent of our pastoral land. Japan and Australia both have invested plenty in New Zealand land and the northern Europeans are buying farms in the South Island. But do we hear anything about that?"

UBS Global Asset Management has established an Australia and New Zealand farmland investment advisory service to meet the growing institutional demand for assets, particularly from Asia.

The "incredibly high" prices of New Zealand dairy farms have prompted Aquila Capital to switch its investment drive to Australia.

There is growing interest from international investors in the New Zealand agricultural sector, particularly from wealthy Europeans, boutique funds manager Mint Asset Management says.

Private Chinese firm Shanghai Pengxin Group Co., Ltd. has gained regulatory approval to acquire New Zealand-based Synlait Farms with its 13 pastures and 13,000 cows.

The arrangement will provide a government-to-government framework to encourage commercial partnerships between New Zealand and Ethiopian agricultural interests.

A poorly performing bonds environment has led AP Pension to set up its own special agricultural investment fund and buy its first farm.

Labour bill aims to make it more difficult for foreign investors to purchase rural land

Duxton Asset Management is buying a stake in seven sheep and cattle farms even as it voiced concern over the country’s system of regulating foreign investment.