We were especially impressed with the fact that while he thought and worked strategically and in a business-like manner, on a personal level he instilled in us a sense of trust and total confidence.
- Clarence Aasen and Gail Fromson-Aasen
Craig achieved a very good price for our home, and at all times we really felt reassured that he was working for us, as the vendors, and that he was working hard for his commission. Selling your home can be very stressful... and we always felt we were in good hands! I would certainly recommend Craig as an agent to anyone wanting to sell their home.
- Richard and Kirsten Cunningham
All elements were completed to a very good standard by Craig and I believe he did his utmost to secure the sale in current difficult conditions.
- Michael Stride
A TV3 poll released tonight showed 75.5 per cent of voters want the rules tightened, with only 8 per cent saying they should be relaxed.
Finance Minister Bill English is reviewing the Overseas Investment Act and Mr Key said at his post-cabinet press conference today he didn't want to prejudge the result of that.
He said it was necessary for the processes to be rapid and efficient, because foreign investment was welcome when it created job opportunities.
"We're also having a look at the broader issue of land because of the concerns that we hear in the community," he said.
"I am concerned about the risk that New Zealanders become tenants in their own land."
Mr Key said the fact that the big Crafar farms were on the market, with a Chinese bidder, had brought the issue of land sales into sharp focus.
He didn't think public concern related to the fact that one of the bidders was Chinese.
"I don't think it's specific to China...it is because of the scale of the investment," he said.
"My view is it wouldn't make much difference if it was any other international buyer looking to buy that sizeable block of property."
Mr Key said his own concern was about the trend he was seeing.
"There's no question that New Zealand is a great place to produce food," he said.
"We know there's international concern about food security and we know there is a real demand to potentially buy up New Zealand farmland.
"I just think if we are going to allow that to happen on a wholesale basis, we should do that with our eyes open...we should be aware of what that means and that's why I've asked the minister to have a look at it."
Mr Key agreed that farm debt was affecting the situation because it was one of the reasons farms were going on the market.
"There has been too much debt on some farms and in some areas farmers have been losing money for some time," he said.
"Sheep and beef has been very tough for some people recently and in terms of dairy farms, even those that have a high payout are struggling under large amounts of debt."
The TV3 poll questioned 1000 voters and had a margin of error of plus or minus 3.1 per cent.
- NZPA
