Chinese Investors spending up big in NZ

[eri]

wonder what the poll results would be for the ?

"do you think nz'ers should be able to buy land os?"

+

"should all countries 'lock-down' land sales so only local, resident citizens can own?"

[Perry]

Can't see anything stopping 1 person/organisation making 100 anonymous donations of $1500 each...

Wasn't that what Banks was counting on
but it didn't work? The Electoral Act has
something in it about aggregation of don-
ations that would likely cover that scenario.

[speights boy]

"should all countries 'lock-down' land sales so only local, resident citizens can own?"

Or in other words
"Should countries have a right to their National Sovereignty"

I reckon I could predict the results of that poll.

[eri]

the next step would be

only a citizen of a country can buy its products

that oughta shut down international trade pretty quick

[speights boy]

I can't understand your argument around foreign farm purchases eri.
Are you saying we shouldn't change our rules and laws here in NZ because that may upset other countries ?

[eri]

imho

the amount of land owned here by foreigners is insignificant

i'm sure the uk has much higher foreign ownership

it's all part of being in a global economy

countries that choose to opt out

can't keep up

happened to japan hundreds of years ago

happened to south africa under apartheid

happening to north korea + cuba right now

nz not so special it can pick + choose what interactions it has with the rest of the world

you seen those tv ads for nz's own tea?

http://zealong.com/

grown here in the waikato by taiwanese tea people

it's win all round

http://zealong.com/job-vacancies/

better for the economy + probably better for the environment

[speights boy]

it's all part of being in a global economy
countries that choose to opt out
can't keep up

Campbell Live just had a segment on what restrictions countries whose citizens buy here themselves have in place .
India, China, some provinces in Canada, some states in USA all with bans / rural restrictions (according to that segment)
I reckon they are keeping up OK.
I also respect their right to make their own laws in this regard.

Re the tea outfit.
I wholeheartedly agree, that's great.
However when you say

grown here in the waikato by taiwanese tea people

The people behind this would probably be NZers I would have thought.

In addition Labour have said that exceptions will be made when the benefits to NZ are shown to be significant.
Expertise in tea would likely be such a case.
Owning a beef and dairy farm in NZ ?
I reckon we have enough expertise right here to own that farm.

[eri]

it's very topical with the fall in dairy prices

the nz economy is too dependent on its 3? major exports

1. dairy
2. forestry
3. meat?

farms + forests are not the most productive uses of land

crops better bang 4 buck

you think nz investors are going to invest in a tea plantation startup

or have the knowledge to make it work?

[speights boy]

Your reply / my addition crossed.
See my addition above.

[Wayne]

the next step would be

only a citizen of a country can buy its products

that oughta shut down international trade pretty quick

I don't think one naturally progresses to the other.

[Davo36]

farms + forests are not the most productive uses of land

crops better bang 4 buck

Got anything to back that up eri?

I'd be very surprised if farmers in fact don't know the best thing to do (money-wise) with their land.

[Bluekiwi]

Rice is probably quite productive considering the amount of rain we have.

Might be the most productive use of land we have.

Dont fancy your chances of selling rice to the chinese though

[elguapo]

Dont fancy your chances of selling rice to the chinese though

China is the worlds largest importer of rice.

[Wayne]

The Japanese are the ones you would have trouble selling to - very protective at the moment.

[speights boy]

it's all part of being in a global economy
countries that choose to opt out
can't keep up

farms + forests are not the most productive uses of land
crops better bang 4 buck

The trouble is we cannot compete, and nor should we attempt to, with certain aspects of this magic global economy.

ANZ hit by controversy in Cambodia

ANZ is facing calls for compensation over its funding of a Cambodian sugar mill linked to child labour, forced evictions and land grabs.

Media reports on Monday said hundreds of Cambodian farmers had called on the bank to provide compensation for the land they lost due to the A$220 million ($243 million) sugar development, owned by Ly Yong Phat, one of Cambodia's richest men and a senator from the country's ruling political party.