By Bill Rosenberg There are vital constitutional and policy implications in the controversy over the Singapore free trade agreement (officially called a “Closer Economic Partnership”…
By Jane Kelsey Imagine the Government has announced a new law that would prohibit any future government from ever reintroducing tariffs on anything, while it…
By Bill Rosenberg Asia 2000 head, Tim Groser, described the Singapore free trade agreement as a Trojan Horse for what he called “the real negotiating…
Don’t talk about exports, by Bill Rosenberg A central feature of the Labour/Alliance government’s economic programme is its assistance to industry and regional development. However, agreements…
Submission to the Finance and Expenditure Committee on the Overseas Investment Bill 2004 I have many concerns about the level of overseas investment in New…
The process which became the 2005 Overseas Investment Act comprised the cover story in every issue of Foreign Control Watchdog from 104 to 109 inclusive (December 2003…
Solar Farms This is a recent example of the steady growth of solar farms throughout the country. This is a new form of energy but…
Buying Up Holiday Parks This company has been quietly but steadily buying up holiday parks around the country in recent years. The OIO has approved Tasman…
Burning Rubbish This is the controversial proposal to build a rubbish incinerator (a waste to energy plant) near Waimate in South Canterbury. It has spawned…
Woollies Buying Up Land Under Standing Consent Supermarkets don’t often appear in the OIO Decisions, yet they are among NZ’s biggest and most essential businesses,…
Global Merger Creates Agribusiness Giant The OIO approved Bunge Global SA United States of America (70%), United Kingdom (8%) Various (22%) buying up to 100% of the…
“Takeover Creates NZ’s Biggest Fisheries Company” The OIO approved Sealord Group Limited New Zealand (50%) Japan (37%), Various (13%) buying Independent Fisheries Holdings Limited (IFHL), Independent Fisheries Limited…
“Goodbye, Freddie” November provides quite a contrast to October – a lot less Decisions, none declined, and absolutely none featuring Ministerial Decisions. Probably everything to…
Labour’s Last Hurrah October 2023 was election month and a highly unusual one in the annals of the OIO. To quote from its monthly newsletter:…
Digital Transnationals Another Microsoft Data Centre In Auckland Forestry IKEA Buying Up Land For Forestry Overseas Investment Office Standing Consents Standing Consents UK Private Equity…