"The overseas investment will allow Lend Lease Group to continue its involvement in the assets which were acquired in 2010 ... to maximise returns and provide greater access to capital in order to better operate the develop those assets," the office said.
The outlet chain was originally established by author, publisher and photographer John Bougen and his associates at Parnell-based Prime Retail who nine years ago sold to Australia's ING Retail.
The Australians paid $63.35 million for the portfolio of what was then three Dress-Smarts in Auckland, Wellington and Christchurch.
Last year, Lend Lease - 77 per cent Australian owned and 9 per cent United States owned - bought the chain in a deal which also involved state clearance.
The second-largest deal approved by the office was for Dutch-controlled Exego Group to sell assets worth $183 million to America's Genuine Parts Company.
The office said the deal would give the Americans "a significant stake in New Zealand's leading automotive aftermarkets parts distributor".
Permission was also granted so Waiheke Island's only airport can be sold to a British investor, Neil Greer. Denis Brian Musson's Waiheke Air Services (2002) can be sold to Greer's Waiheke Island Airpark Resort.
The 8.9ha property at 171 Carsons Rd is used for commercial, emergency and tourism purposes.
Greer wanted to continue to improve the airfield operations and run a viable facility to service the greater Hauraki Gulf area and Auckland, the office said.
"The applicant also proposes to further develop the airfield by sealing the runway, constructing hangars, airfield facilities and 26 visitor accommodation units as approved by an existing resource consent."
Switzerland's Monte Forestry got clearance for a $16.5 million deal to buy 5022ha of freehold land and 1480ha of leasehold land at the East Cape from Britain's The Ingleby NZ Limited Partnership. Three adjoining farms will be combined into one forestry and sheep and beef farming operation.
