Materials comprised of a Paper and PowerPoint Handout. 

Presenters:

Bridget Bailey, Associate, Holland Beckett Law

Natasha van der Wal, Partner, Holland Beckett Law

Synopsis:

Due diligence for rural land transactions is becoming an increasingly complex process as property practitioners must be aware of multiple layers of provisions and restrictions over the use and development of rural land. Resource management issues, particularly resource consents for the use of water, remain a critical component to many rural land purchases and regularly require detailed investigation in the due diligence phase. We are also seeing emerging issues such as the new national direction around the development of highly productive land, natural hazards, and indigenous biodiversity, resulting in a need for practitioners to spot ‘red flags’ when advising clients.

These materials will help you:

The aim of this Paper is to provide an overview of resource management issues in rural land transactions and update your knowledge of the developing law. The topics that will be covered include (although are not limited to):

• Issues arising in rural land purchases.
• Why this is important for the due diligence phase.
• Sources of information, including LIMs and the need to look beyond LIMs.
• Understanding resource consents, particularly water permits, and other resource management overlays affecting rural land. 
• New national direction for highly productive land, natural hazards and indigenous biodiversity.
• Questions to ask during the due diligence phase.
• Practical ways to manage any resource management issues that arise during the due diligence phase.

Intended Audience

New property lawyers undertaking and advising on rural land transactions and experienced practitioners wishing to understand new issues arising in due diligence for rural land transactions.