18 November 1985 Research on off-shore borrowing by farmers in New Zealand

Finding the extent and conditions of off-shore borrowing by New Zealand farmers is the intention of research presently under way at Lincoln College, but locating the borrowers is proving difficult.

Professor Roger Juchau, Professor of Finance and Accounting, and Mr John Pryde, of .the Agricultural Economics Research Unit, are doing the research.

And they want farmers who have borrowed of £-shore to come forward and tell them about it.
Farmers who are prepared to talk about their off-shore borrowing should call Mr Pryde at Lincoln College on (03) 252-811 extension 668.

He would particularly like to know about the terms and conditions of their borrowing.

Mr Pryde, who is research fellow in agricultural policy with AERU, said a lot was being talked about offshore borrowing, but no-one had any
hard information.
"People are tossing around figures like $200 million being borrowed offshore, but these figures are hard to confirm," he said.

"The only way we can get information is to talk to those who have borrowed off-shore.

"If they come forward we will be able to interview them."

"We want to know about their experiences, and how they have fared."

Mr Pryde said that financial institutions arranging off-shore borrowing obviously could not give information because of the need to maintain confidentiality.

"Because of this, we would very much appreciate farmers coming forward to help us in the research," he said.

Further information from Mr John Pryde, Agricultural Economics Research Unit, Lincoln College