A new nationwide campaign is being launched this week aiming to stop the sale of New Zealand land to foreigners.

Save The Farms is being funded by a group of Auckland businessmen and is running a series of newspapers ads urging the public to get behind the movement.

Save the Farms spokesperson Tony Bouchier says the group’s first goal is a moratorium on sales, so a national debate can be held on the issue.

'We’re not asking for a lot – we just want to say ‘let’s stop it here and now, and let’s hear from the people.’

And the Government has shown when we speak up, like in the mining issue, they’re prepared to listen.”

The Ministry of Finance is currently reviewing the Overseas Investment Act, but says it won’t make any changes until the review is complete.

Tony Bouchier said “Bill English has indicated that the act is currently under review – well that’s all well and good, but it’s now time for New Zealanders to have a discussion about what they want in that review."