The Manager is pleased to present this limited opportunity to our current investors and registered interests in Awatea Forest Fund.
- Sale of Airstrip Forest at a significant premium to current valuation.
- Purchase of additional Greenfield Forest Property adding scale and enhanced cashflows,
- Expected development of unit value to be realised across the 2024/25 financial year,
- Cash distributions to commence June quarter 2025.
Awatea has experienced strong capital uplift, averaging 11.8% annualised returns since inception, owed to an investment strategy that includes the purchase of only high-quality assets that add to the diversified nature and cashflow attributes of the fund.
In keeping with this focus on premium assets, Awatea has been offered a price materially above valuation to sell one of its forest properties. Presenting a time sensitive and significant value add opportunity for the fund.
To maximise this opportunity, the intention is to simultaneously acquire another greenfield property in time for planting this winter, increasing the funds scale, and lowering the average cost of investment, enhancing future returns.
The Value Enhancement
Sale of Airstrip Forest: The neighbour of our Airstrip Property (Pikowai, Bay of Plenty) has approached to purchase the forest and is offering a price more than $1 million (approx. 5-7 cents per unit) above current valuation and significantly more than cost. We are entertaining this sale (subject to conditions) and are in the process of drawing up a sales contract. While it is not a fundamental position of Awatea to trade forests, the price offered will realise a return materially more than current valuation and creates a further opportunity for the Fund. Completion of this sale would hinge on titles being issued for our subdivision of the farmhouses, as well, overseas investment approval of the purchase, both of which are considered formalities, albeit take time.
Purchase of Greenfield Property: To maximise this opportunity, the simultaneously acquisition of another premium greenfield property is intended. Targeting greater scale, enhanced cashflow from carbon and harvest opportunities, at a significantly lower cost per hectare than the sale of Airstrip Forest. This is approached in a time sensitive manner, placing importance on establishing the new property in forest this winter. We are advanced in our due diligence of three properties and currently negotiating the purchase of the preferred property. Given the significant spread of value to be achieved across the two transactions, we perceive there to be a further 5-7 cents per unit of possible capital uplift.
Limited Allocation of Units
As we intend to settle the purchase of the Greenfield Forest Property prior to completing the sale of the Airstrip Property, we are required to fund the mismatched dates of purchase and sale. While this could be achieved with bank financing, as Awatea is committed to grow to an overall holding of 5,000 hectares, it is the preference to grow through the further raise of investor capital. Hence, we are making a limited allocation of units available in June, ahead of the completion of transactions.
How to Invest
Investment is available to all investor types with a minimum investment of NZ $20,000. To register your non-binding interest, contact the team today and invest in New Zealand’s leading forestry and carbon fund.
Register Your Interest Now
Any applications for the intended offer must be applied for using the application forms accompanying the product disclosure statement (PDS). No indication of interest will involve an obligation or a commitment to acquire the financial products.