Under the Financial Services Providers (Registration and Dispute Resolution) Act 2008, everyone who provides, or offers to provide, a financial service in New Zealand or from New Zealand to other countries must register as an FSP. Importantly, before you offer your financial services you must be registered.

There is a simple straightforward application process for registration. This can be found online on the website of the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment.

Firstly, the application process depends on what kind of FSP you are. There are three different types depending on your business and the services you will provide – an individual; an entity already registered via the Companies Office; or another entity or body.

Applying as an individual:

There is basic information which you will have to include the application such as your full legal name, date of birth, residential and contact address, your business address and any trading names you use.

Applying as a business already on a Companies Office register:

You will have to provide your company or entity’s name, the Companies Office number or its New Zealand Business Number. If you do not know what this is, you can search for it via the Companies Register. Furthermore, include any trading names you use, your business and contact address and the basic details on your directors and other controlling owners and managers.

Applying as another entity or body:

The basic information you will have to provide is about your business, such as its legal and trading names, the country of origin, the business and communication address and also an email address. You will also have to provide the basic details on your directors and other controlling owners and managers.

For all applications:

Firstly, in completing this process, whatever kind of FSP you are, you will have to provide information about your business and the services it will provide. In the form you fill out online there are a list of services. You would select all the ones that you intend to provide upon registration. This is something that needs to be kept up to date as well. The services that you need to declare can be found under section 5 of the Financial Service Providers (Registration and Dispute Resolution) Act 2008.

Secondly, every individual FSP and those people in charge will have to undergo a criminal history check.

If you are applying to the Financial Markets Authority (FMA), at the same time, to be an Authorised Financial Advisor (AFA), there is additional information to prepare. (https://fsp-register.companiesoffice.govt.nz/help-centre/applying-to-provide-licensed-services/applying-to-be-an-afa/)

When registering as a FSP there are transaction fees to pay:

○ Application fee, incl. GST: $345
○ Criminal history check fee per person, incl. GST: $40.25
○ FMA levy, incl. GST: $529
○ TOTAL: $914.25

Furthermore, after you register you have to pay fees once you’ve completed your annual confirmation:

○ The Companies Office Fee, incl. GST: $75

Alongside this, you will pay levies to the Financial Markets Authority (FMA).

○ The amount of levies you pay depends on your class of service provider and the services you provide.
○ Levies are listed under Schedule 2 of the Financial Markets Authority (Levies) Regulations 2012.

This online process is efficient and easy and should not take up too much of your time.

Please note that this is not a substitute for legal advice and you should speak to your lawyer about your specific situation. Should you need any assistance with this, or with any other Commercial matters, please contact Kris Morrison or Steven Moe at Parry Field Lawyers (+64 3 348 8480).

The purpose of the Credit Contracts and Consumer Finance Act 2003 (“CCCFA”) is to protect the interests of borrowers by placing obligations on creditors to be responsible lenders. It does this by providing general rules of credit contracts and by setting out disclosure requirements for consumer credit contracts. This article discusses these rules and requirements to help you understand your obligations as a lender, or your rights as a borrower.

Credit Contracts vs. Consumer Credit Contracts:

The CCCFA defines both general credit contracts and consumer credit contracts. A credit contract is defined in section 7 as a contract under which credit is or may be provided. On the other hand, a consumer credit contract is a loan taken out by a natural person who is going to use the funds for wholly or predominantly (more than 50% household or domestic use (this for example could be a mortgage for a house, but it does not include a loan for investment purposes). There must also be interest charges or credit fees and the creditor must carry on a business of providing credit or make practice of entering into credit contracts.
A consumer credit contract carries with it additional disclosure obligations that are imposed on the lender to ensure that the interests of the borrower are adequately protected.

A loan might fit under the class of a consumer credit contract, but it will definitely constitute a credit contract. It is generally presumed that where a party claims that a credit contract is a consumer credit contract, it will be just that. However, as set out in section 14 of the CCCFA, the borrower can make a declaration before entering into the contract stating that the credit is going to be used for business/investment purposes and that it is therefore not a consumer credit contract.

Responsibility of lenders:

The responsibilities of lenders are set out in section 9C of the CCCFA. These are not binding on the lender but it is strongly advised that they are complied with as they can be used as evidence to prove that the lender was a responsible one. Where applicable to the particular contract, the lender must at all times:

a. Exercise the care, diligence and skill of a responsible lender.

b. The lender must make reasonable inquiries in relation to the borrower before they enter into the agreement. In particular, they need to be satisfied that the credit provided will meet the borrower’s requirements, and that the borrower will not be subject to substantial hardship when they make payments under the agreement.

c. Assist the borrower in reaching an informed decision as to whether or not to enter into the agreement and to be reasonably aware of the full implications of entering into the agreement. This includes ensuring that any advertising is not likely to mislead and that the terms of the agreement are expressed to the borrower in a clear, concise and intelligible manner. The same goes for information provided after the contract is entered into, and any subsequent dealings, insurance contracts, and guarantees.

d. Treat the borrower and their property reasonably and in an ethical manner.

e. Ensure that the agreement is not oppressive.

f. Meet lender’s legal obligations under various other statutes including the Fair Trading Act 1986 and the Consumer Guarantees Act 1993.

The main thing is that lenders ensure that the credit contract is not harsh or oppressive, and that the borrowers are aware of any implications associated with the contract.

What should a credit contract (for example, a loan agreement) include to ensure compliance with the CCCFA?

What needs to be done in order to comply with the CCCFA largely depends on the nature of the particular credit contract. Ultimately though, the CCCFA is seeking to ensure that the borrower is properly protected and that the lender has been a responsible lender and has made sure that the borrower is fully informed as to the nature of the agreement and the implications of entering into it. Consumer credit contracts require an initial disclosure statement as well as continuing disclosure statements to be made at least every six months (where applicable).

Initial Disclosure Statements

A consumer credit contract needs to make key information available in a clear and concise manner to the borrower such as interest rates, default fees and the borrower’s right to relief or cancellation. It is essential that the implications of entering into a credit contract are made known to the customer.

Before a contract is entered into, the following information (in summary) must be disclosed to the consumer (where applicable to the contract), pursuant to schedule 1 of the CCCFA:

a. Full name and address of creditor;
b. Initial unpaid balance;
c. Subsequent advance;
d. Total advances;
e. Credit limit;
f. Annual interest rate;
g. Method of charging interest;
h. Total interest charges;
i. Interest free period;
j. Credit fees and charges;
k. Payments required;
l. Fully prepayment;
m. Security interest;
n. Disabling devices;
o. Default interest charges and default fees;
p. Debtor’s right to cancel;
q. Debtor’s right to apply for relief on grounds of unforeseen hardship;
r. Continuing disclosure statements;
s. Consent to electronic communications;
t. Dispute resolution and Registration under Financial Service Providers (Registration and Dispute Resolution) Act 2008.

This information needs to be disclosed in a way that is clear, concise and intelligible.

Continuing Disclosure Statements

Continuing disclosure statements must also be made pursuant to section 19 of the Act, insofar as they apply to the contract. These are summarised as follows:

a. The opening and closing dates of the period covered by the statement; and
b. The opening and closing unpaid balances; and
c. The date, amount, and a description of each advance during the statement period; and
d. The date and amount of each interest charge debited to the debtor’s account during the statement period; and
e. The date and amount paid by the debtor to the creditor, or credited to the debtor, during the statement period; and
f. The date, amount and a description of each fee or charge debited the debtor’s account during the statement period; and
g. The amount and the time for payment of the next payment that must be made by the debtor under the contract; and
h. The annual interest rate or rates during the statement period (expressed as a percentage or percentages); and
i. In the case of a credit card contract, a prescribed minimum repayment warning and other prescribed information in connection with payments under a credit card contract.

A continuing disclosure statement may not be required in certain situations, for example where interest charges or credit fees are not charged. The full list of exemptions is set out in section 21 of the CCCFA.

This article is not a substitute for legal advice and you should talk to a lawyer about your specific situation. If you have any questions arising out of the above, please feel free to get in touch. You can contact Kris Morrison – krismorrison@parryfield.com or Steven Moe – stevenmoe@parryfield.com or give us a ring on 03 348 8480

When setting up a company, there are lots of new roles to get your head around. Whether you are a shareholder yourself, or a director in a company, it is important to understand what is expected from the role.

Generally, the constitution of a company determines the rules for how the company is to run. The Companies Act 1993 (“the Act”) often sets out that a company can only do certain things if its constitution allows it. In New Zealand however, a company is not required to have a constitution. Although it is very useful to have, it is not a legal requirement. In the absence of one, the Act sets out the rights, duties and obligations of shareholders, amongst other matters.

Shareholders’ Powers

Although shareholders are not responsible for, and don’t participate in, the day-to-day management of the company, the Act holds that there are certain powers that only shareholders of a company can exercise. These include:

Adopting, altering or revoking a constitution (section 32);
Altering shareholder rights (section 119);
Approving a major financial transaction (section 129);
Appointing and removing directors (sections 153 and 156);
Approving an amalgamation (section 221); and
Putting the company into liquidation (section 241).

While the appointing and removing of directors is usually done by an ordinary shareholders’ resolution (simple majority vote), the other powers require a shareholders’ resolution to be passed by a majority of 75% (or higher if required by the company’s constitution) of those shareholders entitled to vote, and voting on the decision.

Under section 109 of the Act, shareholders may also question and pass a resolution relating to the management of the company. However unless the constitution says otherwise, the resolution is not binding on the board.

Limitations

Shareholders can bring an action against a director for a breach of duty owed to them, but not all directors’ duties are owed to shareholders. Section 169(2) makes it clear that a shareholder cannot bring an action against a director for any loss in the value of their shares by reason only of the loss being suffered by the company.

Reporting Requirements

Under section 178, a shareholder may, at any time, make a written request to a company for information held by the company. The company then has 10 working days from receiving the request to:

provide the information; or
agree to provide the information within a specific period; or
agree to provide the information within a specified period if the shareholder pays a reasonable charge to the company to meet the cost of providing the information; or
refuse to provide the information specifying the reasons for refusal.

The company may refuse if:

disclosure would or would be likely to prejudice the commercial position of the company; or
disclosure would or would be likely to prejudice the commercial position of any other person, whether or not that person supplied the information to the company; or
the request for the information is frivolous or vexatious.

Shareholders’ Exit Strategy

Unlike a director, a shareholder cannot just be removed from a company by the other shareholders If problems between shareholders arise, the Companies Act allows a shareholder to apply to the Court to seek orders against the company or other shareholders – for example for the liquidation of the Company. However, this is where it can often be helpful to have a Shareholders’ Agreement which adds to the ordinary rights and responsibilities of the shareholders under the Companies Act. The agreement can set out who can buy their shares, how the shares will be valued, and any restrictions a shareholder may face once leaving, like a restraint of trade. Again, this Agreement isn’t legally required, but it brings clearer rules that are agreed upon by the shareholders.

Conclusion

Without a constitution, there are laws in place to govern what a shareholder can and can’t do. However if you have a company with more than one shareholder, you may want to look into getting a constitution and/or shareholders agreement. They can provide greater guidance on matters already in the Act, but can also allow shareholders greater involvement in how the business itself is run.

This article is not a substitute for legal advice and you should talk to a lawyer about your specific situation. Please contact Kris Morrison krismorrison@parryfield.com or Steven Moe stevenmoe@parryfield.com at Parry Field Lawyers (348-8480)

Have you ever wondered what happens when you go bankrupt? This article looks at the general process and effect of bankruptcy in New Zealand as well as the effect on a student loan.

The general process and effect of bankruptcy

The process of bankruptcy in New Zealand is set out in the Insolvency Act 2006 (‘the Act’). The Act also provides for an additional formal alternative to bankruptcy, known as the “No Asset Procedure”.

The fact a person is living overseas does not automatically preclude them from being able to be made bankrupt under New Zealand law.

Bankruptcy

There are two ways a person can be adjudicated bankrupt – on the application of a creditor or the debtor can file for adjudication himself or herself.

In terms of the latter, if the combined debts of a debtor amount to $1,000 or more, he or she can apply to be adjudicated bankrupt. There are certain steps which need to be followed which are set out in the Act.

Once the court makes the order of adjudication, the debtor’s bankruptcy commences. It usually lasts three years but normally remains on a person’s credit record for up to 7 years.

The appointed Assignee will advertise the order or adjudication in the Gazette, on the Insolvency and Trustee Service and in the local newspaper.

The general effect of bankruptcy includes:

(a) Once the debtor has been adjudicated bankrupt, most of the bankrupt’s property vests in the Official Assignee, whether in or outside New Zealand, and the bankrupt’s rights in the property are extinguished. The powers that the bankrupt could have exercised in, over, or in respect of any property (whether in or outside New Zealand) for the bankrupt’s own benefit vest in the Assignee. The Official Assignee can therefore seize and sell the bankrupt’s property.

(b) The debtor may retain certain assets, such as tools of trade and necessary household furniture. However, the bankrupt can only retain these assets up to a maximum value. The maximum value for these assets is fixed in the Assignee’s discretion. The bankrupt may also retain a motor vehicle, the value of which must not exceed $6,000. In addition, property held in trust is not affected by the bankruptcy.

(c) The bankrupt must inform the Assignee about his or her property and provide various financial records, including disclosing any property acquired during the bankruptcy, such as a prize or an inheritance.

(d) The assignee can investigate past financial transactions and can retrieve gifts made within a certain timeframe.

(e) Unsecured creditors (secured debt is excluded from bankruptcy) are precluded from continuing to personally pursue the bankrupt for any debt included in the bankruptcy or to add penalties/interest to the debt. All proceedings to recover any debt provable in the bankruptcy are halted.

(f) Unsecured creditors can however prove their claims against the debtor, and the Official Assignee will distribute the bankrupt’s assets among them based on these claims (if there are sufficient funds to do so) in order of a set priority.

(g) The Official Assignee will also decide whether the bankrupt needs to make regular repayments to help repay their creditors.

(h) Creditors that are not based in NZ will be sent a report if they are listed in the bankruptcy. A bankrupt can include that debt in their bankruptcy. A creditor may prove for any debt due to him or her from the bankrupt, no matter whether the debt is governed by New Zealand law or foreign law. A foreigner proving for a foreign debt stands in the same position as a New Zealand creditor proving for a New Zealand debt.

(i) The bankrupt will need the Official Assignee’s permission to, inter alia:

1. take part in the management or control of any business, to be self-employed, or to be employed by a relative or a relative’s business; and

2. travel overseas (the bankrupt can return to New Zealand but if they want to leave again they will need to apply for permission).

(j) The bankrupt also needs to advise the Official Assignee if they change their name, address, employment, terms of employment or income/expenditure.

(k) The public register (of bankruptcies) can be searched from overseas. This may therefore affect a bankrupt’s credit rating outside of NZ.

No assets procedure

To be eligible for the No Asset procedure a person must have debt between $1,000 and $47,000, no realisable assets (excluding cash up to $1000, motor vehicle up to $6000, tools of trade and personal and household effects) and for whatever reason have no way to pay any of their debts.

It has the effect of preventing unsecured creditors from taking steps to enforce debts against the affected person that are included in the procedure. It does not however apply to student loans.

It lasts for 12 months although remains on one’s credit record for longer (it currently remains on the insolvency register for up to 4 years). It does not have as many restrictions as bankruptcy but it does impact one’s credit rating.

The effect of bankruptcy on a student loan

When a person becomes bankrupt, their student loan is written off by the Inland Revenue Department.

This article is not a substitute for legal advice and you should talk to a lawyer about your specific situation. Should you need any assistance, please contact Kris Morrison at Parry Field Lawyers (348-8480) krismorrison@parryfield.com

To lease a premises in conjunction with purchasing or starting your own business can be a daunting prospect – often with good reason.

What’s my exposure?

A good starting point for your likely “exposure” is to simply multiply the annual rent and outgoings you are required to pay by the length of your lease as follows:

Assume a five year initial lease term at (say) $50,000 plus GST a year. Add in other property expenses such as rates, insurance and maintenance totaling (say) $8,000 a year, and you get:

$57,500 x 5 years + $8,000 x 5 years = $327,500.00.

This example illustrates that, like buying a house, signing a lease requires care and attention – including asking yourself the basic question: “How am I going to meet these obligations?”

Many tenants also don’t understand that when they sign a seemingly innocuous Agreement to Lease (most commonly in the form published by the Auckland District Law Society (ADLS)) they are usually also agreeing to be bound to the much more fuller terms of the ADLS Deed of Lease – i.e. the terms of the lease are effectively ‘struck’ or finalised as soon as the agreement is signed.

For these reasons, we strongly recommend you consult your lawyer before you sign any lease agreement.

Tips for negotiating a lease

Some particular areas you should turn your mind to when negotiating a lease include:

Check the Plan and Car Parks

Make sure the agreement contains a detailed plan of the premises including any common areas which you will have the right to use. You should be clear as to who else might have access to these common areas, and how that could impact on your use of the premises.
Any plan should also include car parks, and should specify which car parks will relate to your premises (ideally those directly outside your premises).

Final Measurement of Premises

Does the agreement contemplate a final measurement of the premises and if so, does this potentially affect the proposed annual rent?

Lease Schedules

Often the “premises condition report” and “list of landlords fixtures and fittings” schedules are not filled out in the agreement to lease. You should insist these are completed as they may avoid a dispute on expiry of the lease as to what degree of reinstatement of the premises is required, and also “who owns what” in terms of whether fixtures belong to the landlord or the tenant.

Business Use

Make sure the “business use” set out in the lease matches your intended use for the premises, and potentially any different use in the future – the relevance is that if the intended business use is not covered, you will need to approach the landlord for consent to change this.
In addition, make sure that your business use is permitted under the relevant City/District Council Plan (you may require specialist advice to determine this). If not permitted “as of right”, you might need a resource consent to carry out your proposed business activity.
You will also need to make your own determination as to whether the current state of the premises are fit for your particular use. If there is to be a change in the building’s use after you move in, its possible the premises require upgrading – which could come at a substantial cost (and usually a big surprise). An example might be changing from a retail shop to a restaurant/cafe – the latter will likely require (at a minimum) disabled toilets – and any upgrade will be the tenant’s, not the landlord’s, responsibility under the lease terms.

Don’t forget outgoings

Make sure you check the estimated annual outgoings for the premises. Since the Canterbury earthquakes, premiums for commercial buildings have increased significantly and the tenant is expected to bear these in full. In addition, be clear on what the excess under the landlord’s building insurance policy is. Some leases will limit the tenant’s contribution to $2,000, but others make the tenant liable for the full amount of the landlord’s excess. For older buildings, this is often expressed as a percentage of the overall building value, and can be extraordinarily high.
Be aware as well that in addition to funding the landlord’s insurances, you will separately need to insure your own business assets and risk.

Repairs and Maintenance

You should read the maintenance provisions of the deed of lease carefully, as tenants are often surprised to learn they are liable for most repairs, unless they are structural or due to a defect in design or construction of the building.

“Make Good” at Lease End

Make sure you are aware as to what reinstatement obligations you have at the end of the lease. The standard ADLS provisions provide that tenants can remove additions/alterations they have made on the basis that they “make good” any damage to the premises in removing them. Even if you don’t want to remove them, the landlord can still require you to remove such items.
It is helpful to try and anticipate at the outset of the lease what a sensible position on termination would be – for instance, it is often better to negotiate that your fit out will vest in the landlord without compensation at lease end, so that you are not later required to remove it (because the value of the fit out at the end of the lease will often be less than the cost to remove it/reinstate the premises).

Guarantees

You might be able to renegotiate the terms of any guarantee – for example, if your spouse or partner is named as a guarantor but doesn’t work in the business, you could argue he or she should be excluded from the guarantee.

In addition to these matters, your lawyer will be able to take you through the standard terms of the ADLS Deed of Lease and fully explain your rights and obligations including rent reviews, assigning your lease and damage to the premises, as well as what happens if you are unable to pay the rent.

This article is not a substitute for legal advice and you should talk to a lawyer about your specific situation. Please contact Tim Rankin at Parry Field Lawyers (348-8480) timrankin@parryfield.com

Approval is needed where an “overseas person” acquires sensitive New Zealand assets and that includes where the investor is buying a tech company.

Normally if the purchase is of a start-up then the thresholds will not be triggered but it is also possible that a business may own “sensitive land” and in such a situation there is a procedure which needs to be followed. If you have a tech business that you are looking to sell then it pays to know what the hoops are that your purchaser may need to jump through.

This article describes the key points about the process to be aware of in advance.

From our experience in obtaining OIO approval we have drawn together the following points which answer the key questions an investor has about the process and steps required.

1. Who is the OIO? The Overseas Investment Act 2005 (OIA) is administered and enforced by the Overseas Investment Office (OIO) which processes the applications made. It is based in Wellington and its team is growing quickly as it deals with more applications and enforcement.

2. When is consent needed? Consent is required for an “overseas person”. In basic terms that means a person who is not an NZ citizen or a person ordinarily resident in NZ. However, it is worth discussing individual circumstances as it may be complicated to work out if a person/entity qualifies.

3. What about related parties back overseas? Even if the entity making the purchase is not an “overseas person” they may be an “associate” of an overseas person. If, for example, someone overseas is controlling their actions or funding the purchase. If so, then approval will still be needed.

4. What level of control are you talking about? This is a very wide definition and can be specific or general, indirect or direct and whether actually legally enforceable or not. It is trying to capture the individual that is acting for someone else who would need approval if they were the one that applied.

5. So what is a “sensitive” New Zealand asset? This can be complicated to determine but generally includes:

a. certain types of land such as non-urban land of 5 hectares or more (that is, most farms);

b. acquiring 25% or more ownership or controlling interest in an entity which has businesses assets worth more than $100 million (exceptions apply for Australians and some others that increase that threshold); and

c. fishing quotas.

6. I am only interested in buying land – is it sensitive? Determining if land is sensitive requires special analysis because, for example, it may include land that adjoins a reserve or public park or includes foreshore or seabed. So it may not be as simple as looking at the legal title description because you also need to look at what type of land there is surrounding it. Examples include land over 0.4 hectares that includes or adjoins reserves or historic or heritage areas, land on specified islands or if it is part of the foreshore or seabed.

If I need to apply then what do I need to show to get approval? If you are an overseas person then when you make an application you will need to satisfy:

a. Investor Test (good character, have business experience, be financially committed to that investment); and

b. Benefit to New Zealand Test.

8. How do I show Benefit to New Zealand? There are 21 criteria that the OIO will look at (eg will there be creation of new jobs). The OIO is also interested in understanding the ‘counterfactual’ – ie, what would happen if you didn’t make the investment (would someone else buy it, would they invest or not invest further money in it etc).

9. What if I am moving to New Zealand permanently, does that affect things? Yes – in that situation you may not have to satisfy the Benefit to New Zealand test.

10. How long will all this take? The OIO will categorise the application into one of three types and they will aim to respond within 30 – 70 working days, depending on the category of application. However, there is no statutory timeframe for the decision to be made so it could take less or more time, depending on the situation. The OIO may also ask questions of the applicant which can delay the process so it is really important to get the application right when it is first submitted. Last year 22% of applications were initially rejected as they lacked information or were of poor quality.

In our experience the OIO process does take time to comply with but it is fairly straightforward. If you have questions about any of the topics mentioned above then we would be happy to discuss your situation with you.

This article is not a substitute for legal advice and you should talk to a lawyer about your specific situation. Reproduction is permitted with prior approval and credit being given back to the source. Contact Steven Moe at stevenmoe@parryfield.com to request this or for any other questions. Copyright © Parry Field Lawyers 2017.

Approval is needed where an “overseas person” acquires sensitive New Zealand assets. This article describes the key points about the process to be aware of in advance.

From our experience in obtaining OIO approval we have drawn together the following points which answer the key questions an investor has about the process and steps required.

Who is the OIO?

The Overseas Investment Act 2005 (OIA) is administered and enforced by the Overseas Investment Office (OIO) which processes the applications made. It is based in Wellington and its team is growing quickly as it deals with more applications and enforcement.

When is consent needed?

Consent is required for an “overseas person”. In basic terms that means a person who is not an NZ citizen or a person ordinarily resident in NZ. However, it is worth discussing individual circumstances as it may be complicated to work out if a person/entity qualifies.

What about related parties back overseas?

Even if the entity making the purchase is not an “overseas person” they may be an “associate” of an overseas person. If, for example, someone overseas is controlling their actions or funding the purchase. If so, then approval will still be needed.

What level of control are you talking about?

This is a very wide definition and can be specific or general, indirect or direct and whether actually legally enforceable or not. It is trying to capture the individual that is acting for someone else who would need approval if they were the one that applied.

So what is a “sensitive” New Zealand asset?

This can be complicated to determine but generally includes:

certain types of land such as non-urban land of 5 hectares or more (that is, most farms);
acquiring 25% or more ownership or controlling interest in an entity which has businesses assets worth more than $100 million (exceptions apply for Australians and some others that increase that threshold); and
fishing quotas.

I am only interested in buying land – is it sensitive?

Determining if land is sensitive requires special analysis because, for example, it may include land that adjoins a reserve or public park or includes foreshore or seabed. So it may not be as simple as looking at the legal title description because you also need to look at what type of land there is surrounding it. Examples include land over 0.4 hectares that includes or adjoins reserves or historic or heritage areas, land on specified islands or if it is part of the foreshore or seabed.

If I need to apply then what do I need to show to get approval?

If you are an overseas person then when you make an application you will need to satisfy:

Investor Test (good character, have business experience, be financially committed to that investment); and
Benefit to New Zealand Test.

How do I show Benefit to New Zealand?

There are 21 criteria that the OIO will look at (eg will there be creation of new jobs). The OIO is also interested in understanding the ‘counterfactual’ – ie, what would happen if you didn’t make the investment (would someone else buy it, would they invest or not invest further money in it etc).

What if I am moving to New Zealand permanently, does that affect things?

Yes – in that situation you may not have to satisfy the Benefit to New Zealand test.

How long will all this take?

The OIO will categorise the application into one of three types and they will aim to respond within 30 – 70 working days, depending on the category of application. However, there is no statutory timeframe for the decision to be made so it could take less or more time, depending on the situation.

The OIO may also ask questions of the applicant which can delay the process so it is really important to get the application right when it is first submitted. Last year 22% of applications were initially rejected as they lacked information or were of poor quality.

This article is not a substitute for legal advice and you should talk to a lawyer about your specific situation. Should you need any assistance please contact Steven Moe at Parry Field Lawyers (348-8480) stevenmoe@parryfield.com

Muhammad Yunus was in Christchurch this afternoon and spoke to several hundred people. He is from Bangladesh and received the Nobel Peace Prize in 2006 for his work in microfinance and microcredit. He founded Grameen Bank (http://www.grameen.com/) which focuses on loans being given to people in villages who are too poor to receive traditional bank loans.

He told us the idea began from wanting to help local people to avoid loan sharks and he thought – “why not loan the money myself”? So he was solving an immediate problem back when he began in the 1970s. He told us that he studied how banks operate and then he purposefully tried to do the opposite. For example, banks usually required collateral for the loans they make but Grameen Bank do not. Now there are 2,600 branches throughout Bangladesh with 9 million borrowers.

He also talked about social business and the idea that this could help to solve problems while still making money. He compared this with pure charity where the money has a “one time use” as it is used and then gone compared to a social business which is sustainable. In this context he talked about how profit might not be the only incentive for people to set up a business and that there could be other incentives – such as making people happy. It would have been interesting to gain more insights about what form of social business might work best in a New Zealand context.

He finished by commenting on the fact that the top 1% of the population owns 99% of the world’s resources and that the wealthiest 8 people in the world own more than 50%. This concentration of wealth into ever fewer hands is what he sees as a great danger and there need to be new ways to combat this. HIs main theme was to work to try and reverse the way the system currently runs and what motivates it to try and address this.

The session ended with some questions although I felt at the very end like there were a lot of unanswered questions and details that would be fascinating to find out more about and explore. I was also left wondering how the ideas, which seem to have worked well in rural impoverished Bangladesh, might apply in relatively wealthy/middle class New Zealand.

It was great to hear the challenges from a Nobel Peace Prize Winner and wonderful that the event could be hosted in Christchurch – well done to the SingularityU Christchurch (which led this) and the other partner organisations: Akina Foundation, Ministry of Awesome, OHU, Te Putahi, XCHC and CCC.

Introduction

We’ve all seen the headlines about growing Chinese investment around the world and New Zealand is certainly no exception. Although you may already have been in business for years and have a great deal of experience, if you want to be truly successful with a Chinese counterparty then there are some key cultural differences which you should take on board. With that in mind we have set out some points to be aware of when you’re dealing with Chinese investors. Read more

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