Matt Lauer and New Zealand

[Ben]

No link - I just a minute ago heard this on the news. So apparently Matt Lauer is in the middle of purchasing a big ranch in New Zealand. New Zealand apparently has a "good conduct clause" for all foreigners buying land there. Because of the accusations against Lauer, the story said New Zealand is looking at canceling the sale.

This may have been incomplete reporting, but if accurate - holy moly -- that's pretty much a commie move. Especially if someone hasn't actually been convicted of anything.

Oh - actually just found a couple of stories. This seems to be government land, so maybe similar to a lease on Forest Service land in the US? Apparently though, even if the lease is in place, the story says that the NZ government can "force someone to dispose of property if not of good character". That seems pretty vague and ripe for abuse. I see that in their last elections, the government has gone further left.

https://www.aol.com/article/finance/2017/12/11/new-zealands-good-character-rules-could-cost-matt-lauer-the-dollar9-million-lakefront-ranch-he-bought-there/23303350/

http://www.foxbusiness.com/features/2017/12/11/matt-lauer-could-lose-9m-new-zealand-ranch-due-to-good-character-clause.html

[HankB]

Matt Lauer is a foreigner in New Zealand, so maybe he has fewer rights and privileges there.

And in any case, being a sovereign nation, they can admit or turn away foreigners for any reason they want - or even for no reason at all.

[Ben]

And in any case, being a sovereign nation, they can admit or turn away foreigners for any reason they want - or even for no reason at all.

Sure they can. I just find it dangerously interesting that they (as a  parliamentary democracy) have initiated a "me too" clause. That's more of a socialist or totalitarian (or SJW) thing.

[Andiron]

Sure they can. I just find it dangerously interesting that they (as a  parliamentary democracy) have initiated a "me too" clause. That's more of a socialist or totalitarian (or SJW) thing.

Wait til you see who they just elected PM...

[230RN]

If he gets deported from there, do we have to take him back?  :D

[Ben]

Wait til you see who they just elected PM...

It's really too bad. Even with their previous left (but somewhat less left) leaning government, if you told me I had to pick a place to expat to, New Zealand would otherwise be high on the list. Not sure how I'd feel about it now.

Ironically, several of the former Communist Bloc countries have shown themselves to have more freedom leaning governments than some of the normal "stalwarts of democracy". The Czech Republic is possibly more freedom oriented than New Zealand.

[MillCreek]

I have read recently that NZ is really cracking down on foreigners buying up land in NZ.  This is supposed to be a reaction to rich Americans and rich Mainland Chinese buying up land for investment purposes.

[Jamisjockey]

It's really too bad. Even with their previous left (but somewhat less left) leaning government, if you told me I had to pick a place to expat to, New Zealand would otherwise be high on the list. Not sure how I'd feel about it now.

Ironically, several of the former Communist Bloc countries have shown themselves to have more freedom leaning governments than some of the normal "stalwarts of democracy". The Czech Republic is possibly more freedom oriented than New Zealand.

NZ is very restrictive on immigration...kind of ironic being a left-leaning country...

[Ben]

I have read recently that NZ is really cracking down on foreigners buying up land in NZ.  This is supposed to be a reaction to rich Americans and rich Mainland Chinese buying up land for investment purposes.

That seems to be a factor in more broadly interpreting "good character". Seems like it would be more straightforward to just stop or suspend foreign purchases. It's an interesting conundrum for them. Take a big hit to the economy to normalize real estate prices, or else continue the income boosts and drive up land prices for residents.

Though I'm guessing, much like here, the real estate inflation is pretty geographically targeted. Before I left, Santa Barbara was being bought up by wealthy Chinese, Europeans, and Middle Easterners, which really shot up land prices (and was great for me as a seller). Land prices in BFE California are still relatively normal.

[Ben]

NZ is very restrictive on immigration...kind of ironic being a left-leaning country...

Yup. I've always wondered why them, Australia, Canada, etc., have not been used more for talking points by people who want to get immigration under control here. They are all countries that the left otherwise loves and says we should emulate. I'd be happy to see us emulate Australian immigration policies here.

[HankB]

Yup. I've always wondered why them, Australia, Canada, etc., have not been used more for talking points by people who want to get immigration under control here. They are all countries that the left otherwise loves and says we should emulate. I'd be happy to see us emulate Australian immigration policies here.

From what I've read, why don't we suggest to the left that we emulate Mexico's immigration policies and deal with "our" illegals the way Mexico deals with theirs?

[230RN]

From what I've read, why don't we suggest to the left that we emulate Mexico's immigration policies and deal with "our" illegals the way Mexico deals with theirs?

Because most of us recognize that their goals are to bring in more leftist peons who do not have the tradition of freedom and self-determination that we (used to) have.

After all, legal immigration requires some training in those aspects of United States citizenship.

Terry

[MillCreek]

That seems to be a factor in more broadly interpreting "good character". Seems like it would be more straightforward to just stop or suspend foreign purchases. It's an interesting conundrum for them. Take a big hit to the economy to normalize real estate prices, or else continue the income boosts and drive up land prices for residents.

Though I'm guessing, much like here, the real estate inflation is pretty geographically targeted. Before I left, Santa Barbara was being bought up by wealthy Chinese, Europeans, and Middle Easterners, which really shot up land prices (and was great for me as a seller). Land prices in BFE California are still relatively normal.

The Vancouver BC-Seattle-Portland axis is seeing incredible amounts of property purchase for investment by the mainland Chinese.  More so in Seattle since BC imposed a 20% tax on such purchases.  Many of the real estate firms in Seattle and the Eastside now make a point of bragging about their Chinese-speaking realtors that can assist you.  Also of interest is the significant upsurge in mainland Chinese students at the University of Washington.  Many of the wealthy parents buy their kids a house on the Eastside so that the kid has a place to stay during their school years.

[Ben]

Many of the wealthy parents buy their kids a house on the Eastside so that the kid has a place to stay during their school years.

I think at least a half dozen of the condos in my complex were purchased by foreign parents for their kids attending UCSB. With the real estate market there, four years of appreciation more than paid tuition.

[RoadKingLarry]

Sure they can. I just find it dangerously interesting that they (as a  parliamentary democracy) have initiated a "me too" clause. That's more of a socialist or totalitarian (or SJW) thing.

While there is a difference between a conviction and an allegation, you do know that if you have a DUI conviction on your record, no matter how old Canada will bar entry.