A Bermuda‑based entrepreneur has announced the transfer of his Southland forestry assets to several family members, marking a significant reshuffling of his international investment portfolio. The move, disclosed in a statement issued by the investor’s Bermuda office, involves a portfolio of timberland holdings in New Zealand’s Southland region, where the company has operated for over two decades.

The family members who will receive the assets include the investor’s children and spouse, who will assume operational control of the forestry operations. The transfer is expected to be completed by the end of the year, subject to regulatory approvals in New Zealand and Bermuda.

Industry observers note that the change in ownership structure could have implications for the company’s tax planning and succession strategy. Bermuda’s favourable tax regime for foreign‑derived income and its well‑established corporate infrastructure have long attracted investors with overseas interests.

Local business leaders praised the investor’s decision to keep the assets within the family, citing potential benefits for long‑term stewardship of the land and continued investment in sustainable forestry practices. The transfer also underscores the growing trend of Bermudian investors diversifying their holdings across the Pacific.

The company’s spokesperson confirmed that the forestry operations will continue to function normally during the transition, with no immediate impact on employment or local supply chains.