John MacDonald: Less eyebrow raising, more glad-eye for foreign investors - Canterbury Mornings with John MacDonald

I think we need to get over ourselves here in New Zealand when it comes to foreign investment.

And it looks like we’re going to have to get over ourselves - whether we want to or not - with the Government’s plan to make it easier for foreign investors to buy New Zealand companies and properties.

The way I’d describe it is that, at the moment, the Government thinks we treat overseas investors as if they’re going through customs - and we’re all suspicious about their motivations for coming here.

Whereas it thinks we should be more like the duty free shop, putting down the welcome mat and selling New Zealand to overseas investors. You know, give them a bit more of the glad eye and less of the raised eyebrow.

And I’m all for that. Because modern New Zealand was built on overseas investment.

I’m not saying it’s been perfect. But I agree with the Government’s plan to open the doors more to foreign investors.

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