Good work by labour's David Parker on highlighting the plans of the Chinese company wanting to buy Crafar farms. Thank the gods for the Official Information Act and those who know how to use it to get this information out into the open.
Stuff
Shanghai Pengxin's aspirations to branch beyond the $200 million-plus farm purchase into real estate, infrastructure development and mining in New Zealand are included in its application to the Overseas Investment Office, released to BusinessDay under the Official Information Act.
In the application the company said it regarded the proposed purchase as its "initial" investment in New Zealand.
"[Shanghai Pengxin] will actively seek other opportunities to invest in New Zealand in agribusiness, real estate development, mining and infrastructure, utilising its expertise in these areas gained in China and elsewhere in the world.
There is a saying - In like a needle out like a plough - and this is exactly what these bridgehead 'investments' are. As Green Party co-leader Russel Norman says
"We'd be idiots if we let the Chinese companies buy up all this stuff. But Labour and National have shown they are capable of it in the past so I wouldn't be surprised if they let them do it again."
Reports have said that the Chinese Investment Corporation may invest up to 6 Billion or 1.5% of their fund into this country's assets. That compares with 2% that they have supposedly set aside for Australia. Jeepers if true that will have society changing consequences for this country. We know that the government wants to sell our assets and they are going to try really hard to. To tell you the truth I don't care who stops them as long as someone does. The Mana Party will be strongly opposed, as will the Greens. Winston will rally against it and Labour will have a go, as Parker has here. It may be asking too much for Labour to lead this as they oppose Hone and Mana even more than the maori party, and as Russ mentioned their track record is not good.
People power is the answer - it works and puts real fear in our opponents hearts.
A historic pa site descecrated by crafar cows. Par for the course where maori sensibilities are concerned don't you think?
From Stuff
"Ngati Ruanui iwi is outraged that a waahi tapu and pa site, Te Ruaki Pa at Ohangai, owned by Crafar Farms has been damaged.
Debbie Packer, manager of Ngati Ruanui Group Management, said iwi discovered the damage when reviewing its waahi tapu sites over the last couple of weeks.
"It represents an area that was quite a masterful and unique pa. It's one of the most rare and beautiful examples of a terraced pa pre 1834.
"It's part of all our history from an era that you can't get back. We're really gutted," Mrs Packer said."
Yes we are too Debbie - it is so shocking to discover that generally people just don't care about maori history.
"Mrs Packer said the iwi was worried the property, which is being marketed for sale, would go to buyers who were either unaware of, or would not care about the historically important site on the farm.
Most local farmers respected waahi tapu and fenced them off or didn't stock them, she said.
The owners before Crafar Farms had fenced around the pa site but stock had been allowed on since they took over, Mrs Packer said.
"They could sell it to someone who doesn't give a hoot and a significant part of Ngati Ruanui and South Taranaki history will be completely ignored."
Very good points.
How about this - IT IS NOT YOUR LAND ANYWAY -
give it back to the rightful owners not sell it to overseas interests.
I've blogged about the crafars a few times now - from their animal abuse and constant infractions against the law, whether due to incompetance or plain cruelty. One thing I am sure about is that their farms should NOT be sold to overseas interests. The chinese are concerned that they may not get permission to buy the farms and their representative has blown a fuse.
From Stuff
"The company’s vice chairman, Graham Chin asked whether New Zealand wanted Natural Dairy to take its "huge investment in New Zealand factories and milk exports across the Tasman to Australia or to South America."
YES PLEASE
Natural Dairy (NZ) Holding Ltd’s used to be known as China Jin Hui Mining Corporation - that should tell you what their attitude to natural resources is. We don't need to sell to these overseas interests - it is not in our best interest. Give the stolen land back to maori if you want to do something with it.
Interesting news that the crafar dairy farms have been sold to the China Jin Hui Mining Corporation - recently renamed Natural Dairy (NZ) Holdings.
From stuff
"Bloomberg reported that Natural Dairy would pay $1.5 billion for New Zealand farm assets, farm land, livestock and milk powder production plants."
That's a lot of money from natural dairy nz holdings - LOL why don't we stick with your original name mining corporation - this is not fooling anyone.
