AUCKLAND, New Zealand--(BUSINESS WIRE)--The Du Val Group (DVG), a specialist real estate fund management, advisory and property services group, today announced its plans to open for registration on August 8 the Du Val Mid-Market Fund to invest in a substantial portfolio of office, industrial, retail and residential property assets in New Zealand. The $250 million NZD private equity real estate fund aims to take advantage of the global economic downturn by purchasing assets at discounts to their historic valuations from listed real estate, security holders, REITs and other institutions.

The investment strategy is designed to provide investors with an internal rate of return (IRR) of more than 20% per year. The fund, open only to eligible, qualified residents of New Zealand, Singapore and Hong Kong, has a minimum investment requirement of $500,000 NZD.

“We are happy to launch one of the most exciting private equity real estate investment opportunities offered this year,” said Jason Smith, managing director of the Du Val Group Limited. “New Zealand, approximately the size of the United Kingdom, is currently ranked No. 4 by Dun & Bradstreet and the Wall Street Journal in terms of transparency, and is also ranked by the Heritage Foundation and the Wall Street Journal among the top 4 economic development destinations, taking into account openness of trade policy, tax rates, monetary policy, wages, unemployment, inflation levels, investment flows and regulation.

“Proved to be one of the world’s most resilient, transparent markets immune to volatility, the New Zealand market is ideal for investors looking for a safe real estate investment bet,” Smith added. “With the New Zealand economy set to grow more than three percent during the next two years and housing starts currently at a two-year high, now is the ideal time to seize the significant opportunities in private equity property investment in New Zealand.”

According to recent data, private consumption in New Zealand will increase 2.5 percent this year and residential investment will surge 18 percent. The country has a net influx of immigration coupled with a high standard of living and strong economic fundamentals.

DVG’s investment strategy will target portfolios diversified by sector, location, tenant mix and value range. Individual properties will generally be valued between $5 million to $50 million, reflecting the general partners’ belief that mid-market properties provide solid long-term value and protection from market volatility. Public-to-private and off-market acquisitions will be considered. Proving its commitment to the fund, the Du Val Group Limited has agreed to invest up to four percent of investors’ commitments (up to $10 million). The team will begin meetings this month with potential investors at its regional offices and at its planned events in Auckland, Wellington, Hong Kong, Singapore and Beijing. More information is available via the firm’s website at www.duvalglobal.com. The Private Placement Documents will be available via the website beginning August 8.

About Du Val Group

The Du Val Group (DVG) is a specialist real estate fund management, advisory and property services group, with offices in Europe, Asia Pacific and Australasia. The Du Val Group, comprised of a team of leading experts in New Zealand real estate, business and finance, bases its investment approach on entrepreneurship, integrity, service and professional excellence to provide maximum rates of return. More information is available at www.duvalglobal.com.

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