Finance Minister of New Zealand, Bill English said that the Government had no idea as to how much of land in New Zealand belonged to foreign owners.

Although, the review of the investments made from foreign lands is aimed at stopping the selling of land to such investors, especially when it is a matter of purchases of large chunks of land by the foreign investors.

Mr. English signaled that the trouble was far bigger than it may have been imagined by all.

He informed the reporters that there was really scarce information available on the same.

He also said that the matter was debatable for all and benefits would then be reaped. An increased interest in the issue has mainly been shown by Hong Kong firm, Natural Dairy that placed a bid to acquire the big Crafar farm business.

There had been large approvals almost four to five years ago to foreign ownerships, but whilst blocks of land were springing up for sale and a few investors from foreign land saw that it was positive to invest in lands in the nation; then, the Crafar farms were the only ones available for sale.

The overseas investment review was in progress, but it could not be denied that the whole procedure was quite complex, said Mr. English