Property firm bids to purchase 16 farms in NZ

WELLINGTON, New Zealand - Shanghai Pengxin Group, a Chinese property developer and owner of agricultural and mining ventures, is seeking to buy 16 dairy farms in New Zealand after the government rejected an earlier bid by a different Chinese company.

Shanghai Pengxin will apply to the Overseas Investment Office by the end of March, Chairman Jiang Zhaobai said in a statement on Thursday posted on the website of KordaMentha, the farms' receiver. KordaMentha, which took control of the farms more than a year ago, accepted the offer, it said.

The bid for the assets, known as the Crafar farms, renews debate over foreign ownership of New Zealand's farm and dairy industries. New Zealand farmers' groups have voiced objections to the sale of farmland to buyers from outside the country on the grounds that such sales weaken control of industries that account for about a third of the country's exports. "We have made proper arrangements for financing the purchase of the Crafar farms, if approved, and also financing our subsequent development plans," said Jiang, who along with his brother was ranked 293 among the 400 richest Chinese by Forbes magazine in 2010. The company, which didn't disclose financial terms, will release plans for the properties when it submits the application, he said.