Shania land grab upsets Kiwis

Country singer Shania Twain has run into opposition from the New Zealand government over her £5m (€7.3m) bid for a sheep farm.

The Switzerland based Canadian, and her producer-husband Robert Lange are reported to have offered four times a government valuation for Motatapu Station near Lake Wanaka on South Island.

Twain’s interest in the 42,000 acre farm has upset outdoor groups who fear the sale could jeopardise access to the land for climbers, hikers, cyclists and campers.

It is also facing opposition from the government, which on today announced the first full review in 30 years of the law governing foreign purchases of farmland on South Island, the nation’s coastline and “iconic” cultural sites.

Finance Minister Michael Cullen said the review’s ”purpose is not to close up New Zealand” to foreign investors, adding that the government is committed to maintaining a liberal investment regime because New Zealand needs foreign capital.

“But we also need to ensure that our unique cultural and natural heritage is protected,” he added, by “giving New Zealanders confidence we are not losing ownership ... of our own country”.

The move follows mounting public concern at sales of coastal land, including Young Nick’s Head on North Island’s east coast.

Local Maori, who have ancient village sites and sacred burial grounds on the peninsula, occupied the land late last year in protest at its purchase by New York financier John Griffin.

After negotiations, Griffin offered Maori protection of their sites, access to them and funding to rehabilitate major shoreline swampland.

Offshore islands, big farms, cliff-top land and other recent sales have also sparked public alarm, as prices have been pushed up by offshore buyers.