Federated Farmers suggests Overseas Investment Office approval should be considered for large takes of water by overseas interests. "If the intention is to see foreign-owned companies charged for water they sell offshore, then rather than require all New Zealanders to pay for water, the government could consider requiring those companies to obtain the permission of the Overseas Investment Office. "They should be asked to prove they are making a significant net benefit to New Zealand," Federated Farmers water spokesperson Chris Allen says. The problem is under the National Government the Overseas Investment Office hasn't got the teeth, just look at their inaction of not implementing a registrar of foreigners buying our property.