The Save The Farms group lobbying to restrict farms sales to foreigners has slammed the Prime Minister’s remarks that it’s “pretty hardcore” and more suited to North Korea than New Zealand.

John Key told the Federated Farmers National Council meeting in Wellington on Wednesday that  when he saw a Remuera property developer part of the group, he had his doubts about the purity of its motives.

The group wants a ban on all sales and leases of farmland, orchards and vineyards to foreigners and constraints on forest ownership.

Save The Farms spokesperson Tony Bouchier rejects the Prime Minister’s comments.

“I don’t really want to be rude but I did an interview with him some time ago and he seemed to be absolutely paranoid as to where our funding was. He seemed to indicate there was some sort of conspiracy here, there is not, and to compare us with North Korea is absolutely absurd.

"I don’t think it has hurt our cause at all, in fact I think probably in many ways it might enhance our cause, in it might draw a lot more people to our argument.”

The Prime Minister says his Government’s recent review of overseas investment rules struck the right balance between allowing investment to benefit New Zealanders, while protecting the country’s economic interests.