New Zealanders have a strong emotional chord with their land and soil. Maybe that is the reason two thirds of Kiwis in a survey said they wanted to see a legislation that will stop foreigners from buying farmland in New Zealand. According to the latest Vote Compass survey, an overwhelming majority from150,000 respondents demanded initiatives from the government to prevent foreign ownership of Kiwi farmland, reported TV Nz.co. Nz. Among the respondents, 65 percent said it was essential, but 20 percent disagreed and 4 percent stood neutral, while 1 percent feigned ignorance about such deals.

Emotional Issue

The purchase of farmland by foreigners has become a big issue. It heated up after the Lochinver Station land was sold to a Chinese company. Among the political parties, the fiercest opposition to foreign ownership of land came from the supporters of New Zealand First party. About 87 per cent of its rank and file wanted the Government should prevent such sales.

So was the majority opinion in other parties. They included Mana (85 per cent), Labour (84), Internet (82), Green (81), Maori (76), Conservative (73) and United Future (57). They all supported norms to stop foreigners from buying farmland.

Only the Act Party disagreed on any legal curb on farmland sale to foreigners. The National Party supporters were evenly divided, with 47 per cent agreeing for a legal check on foreigners buying farms, But 37 per cent disagreed.

Foreign Buyers Register

Reinforcing the local sentiments against farm land sale to foreigners, New Zealand First party leader Winston Peters has set a precondition of having a separate register of foreign buyers. He will support only that Government, which will oblige to his demand. The latest 3 News poll also showed 82 per cent of voters also demanding such a register for foreign buyers.

Prime Minister John Key had been taking an insulated stand from the campaign that foreigners were pushing up house prices and taking away farm land. Now Mr. Key himself is not ruling out such a register of foreign buyers. But he chose to put it diplomatically by saying "we have to sit with other parties and discuss it". It was both an olive branch to Mr. Peters and an effort to be politically correct with his voters and supporters.