'The land and buildings tenanted by multimillion-dollar natural skincare business Living Nature at Kerikeri are for sale but a company spokesperson says the international exporter is staying in the north - no question.
Living Nature research and development engineer Brent Alexander said last week a rural location for the company'smanufacturing base fitted its philosophy of using natural materials for its products, some of which are grown on site.
"It's our triple bottom line and this way of doing things is our story. This would not translate authentically to an industrial park in a city," he said.
The lease officially had a year to run with three-year right of renewal, and more in the pipeline.
He admitted he had heard speculation that Living Nature was gearing up to move but he said it would not happen, at least not out of the district.
A bigger site might be needed eventually but Kerikeri would be the location.
Living Nature pays $120,000 (plus out-goings) in rent a year for the site. Marketer Wayne Crowe of The Professionals Kerikeri says the vendor "may be willing to come to a financial arrangement with a buyer concerning the three-year rental".
Living Nature founder Suzanne Hall sold her interest in the business several years ago, which left Bill Birnie and Peter Evans as majority shareholders.
New Zealand health and wellness products manufacturer and exporter New Image Group injected new capital into the company a few months ago, acquiring a 50.01 shareholding.
The New Image board said Living Nature would continue to operate as an independent stand-alone operation, with New Image working with the Living Nature team to "develop existing synergies and help maximise employment opportunities."
