A property on the Crown Terrace, near Arrowtown, will become the Bloomsbury Stud (NZ) Ltd's South Island thoroughbred bloodstock base after consent approval from the Overseas Investment Office late last year.
The decision, dated December 22, 2010, said the company had acquired a freehold interest in 17.85ha of land at 44 Jeffrey Rd, on the Crown Terrace, from Robina Bodle for $2.93 million.
However, Ms Bodle's partner, Jef Desbecker, told the Otago Daily Times yesterday Bloomsbury Stud's acquisition was on an undeveloped part of the couple's property, totalling 12.29ha.
A Land Information New Zealand spokesman told the ODT Bloomsbury had bought 12.29ha, "but they are going to acquire a further 5.56ha once there is a boundary adjustment".
Bloomsbury Stud would use the land to build a "South Island base from which to manage its bloodstock and other New Zealand investments", while a lodge on the land "will be refurbished and a new residence constructed".
There was a lodge near the site, but it had not been included in the sale, Mr Desbecker said.
"The person is going to rent that lodge."
The decision said the overseas investment transaction had satisfied the office, with the "substantial and identifiable benefit to New Zealand".
The Companies Office website lists Bloomsbury Stud (NZ) Ltd's directors as Lisa and Mark Chittick, and Antony Derek Harris, all of Matamata.
In February 2007, it was announced the company's New Zealand operation was to be sold by Henrietta, Duchess of Bedford.
Henrietta and her late husband, Robin, Duke of Bedford started Bloomsbury Stud at Woburn Abbey, Bedfordshire, in the late 1970s and then bought a stud in New Zealand and sent many mares from England.
The stud at Matamata had been in operation for 13 years, with the New Zealand operation becoming larger than the one in England.
In April 2007, it was reported the New Zealand division of Bloomsbury Stud had been bought by Mike Tololi, owner of Stoney Bridge Stallion Station.
At the dispersal sale in May 2007, 57 lots were sold for a total of $4.8 million.
