The controversial sale of Jericho Station to a Chinese investor collapsed yesterday. If the sale had gone through it would have been the first by Landcorp to a foreign buyer.
Instead Jericho Station was purchased by Southland farmer Ed Pinckney who spoke to The Country's Jamie Mackay about his winning bid for the Fiordland sheep and beef station.
"We're not against foreign ownership at all, we're just pleased with the outcome. We went out and fought our own battle and it has come out on our side," says Pinckney.
Pinckney had an almost unconditional offer on the table last year and found the process slightly frustrating but doesn't judge Landcorp for its decision to go with a foreign buyer.
"It's been over a year of hard work and battles but we've come out on top."
Pinckney had sold a property in Ohai to set himself up for the purchase of Jericho station but says he knew the risks involved in such a move "the OIO process certainly took a long time but that's just the way it is. We just stuck to our plan I suppose."
Jericho Station is in a "beautiful part of the world," with "spectacular scenery," in a "great farming district," says Pinckney who sees a lot of potential in the sheep and beef station.
"I'm pretty excited about making it home and getting stuck into it."
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