PRESS RELEASE

For immediate release.

11 November 2003

NZDA Applauds Foreign Ownership Clampdown

“New Zealand Deerstalkers’ Association Inc (NZDA) applauds the announcement that the Government intends to clamp down on the sale of land to foreigners,” announced Trevor Dyke, National President, today.

“The NZDA, is the National body recognised as representing big game hunters in New Zealand, has voiced its concerns on foreign ownership of land for some time. Many purchases by offshore owners has often resulted in recognised access to popular hunting areas, (in particular on to crown land), being closed off, and/or ‘Access Fees’ being charged as a thinly disguised ‘Game Hunting Fee’,” Dyke continued.

“Our Association hopes that the clampdown also includes strong audit procedures to ensure that the Overseas Investment Commission is not just ‘rubber stamping’ applications which their current website homepage appears to indicate, (i.e. 1.5 working days for delegated authority and 5 working days for ministerial decisions).

ENDS

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