By GAI Staff Writer, Global AgInvesting Media
New Forests, a leading global investment manager specializing in nature-based real assets and sophisticated natural capital strategies, announced a significant new acquisition for its Australia New Zealand Landscapes and Forestry Fund (ANZLAFF).
The fund has successfully acquired a high-quality portfolio of macadamia orchards and land aggregations situated within the fertile Bundaberg region of Queensland. This $600 million fund continues to demonstrate its commitment to diversifying Australian land use through sustainable, high-value primary production.
The newly acquired 636-hectare portfolio will be rebranded as Bunya Orchards. This expansive landholding currently comprises 341 hectares of mature, high-density macadamia orchards and 50 hectares of prime grazing land specifically earmarked for immediate greenfield macadamia development. Crucially, the site also contains significant tracts of retained native vegetation. These areas present immediate opportunities for environmental plantings and the enhancement of natural capital, aligning with the fund’s broader ecological goals.
New Forests will oversee the strategic management of Bunya Orchards, drawing upon the specialized agricultural expertise of its related entity, New Agriculture. By implementing a “highest and best use” management philosophy, the team aims to optimize financial returns while simultaneously driving superior environmental outcomes. This integrated approach involves land-use and production optimization, further greenfield expansion, and the enhancement of native vegetation. Such initiatives are designed to generate additional value through the creation of Australian Carbon Credit Units (ACCUs), biodiversity credits, and participation in other emerging nature-based programs.
Sustainable, High Growth, and Long-Term Value
Sustainability is a core pillar of the Bunya Orchards strategy. New Forests plans to pursue several initiatives to reduce gross emissions and strengthen the site’s environmental stewardship. Key projects include the decarbonization of irrigation systems through the installation of on-site solar arrays and battery storage, a progressive transition of the farm’s vehicle fleet from diesel-dependent engines to electric and hybrid alternatives, and the implementation of natural biological solutions to minimize the use of synthetic fertilizers wherever appropriate.
David Shelton, the Managing Director for Australia and New Zealand and Global Head of Investments at New Forests, emphasized the strategic importance of the deal: ““This macadamia aggregation is a quality, future focused addition to the ANZLAFF portfolio, aligning with our whole of landscape investment strategy. The asset provides exposure to a high growth tree nut market while enabling opportunities to integrate natural capital, improve ecological outcomes and build long term value for our investors.”
Bunya Orchards marks the second major agricultural asset secured by the ANZLAFF portfolio. It follows the successful August 2025 acquisition of a 50% stake in McPhee Beef Farms, now renamed Benditi, a premier supplier of high-quality F1 Wagyu beef.
Macadamia Excellence and A Link to Heritage
The choice of Bundaberg is highly intentional. Located at the southern tip of the Great Barrier Reef, Bundaberg has solidified its status as Australia’s leading producer of macadamia nuts. The region benefits from industry-leading productivity levels, a mature and highly efficient processing ecosystem, and a sustained surge in global demand for premium macadamia products. To ensure operational continuity, orchard management services will remain under the stewardship of Macadamia Farm Management (MFM), the largest manager of macadamia orchards in Australia.
The ANZLAFF fund is backed by an elite group of institutional investors, including the Swedish pension fund Andra AP-fonden (AP2), the German pension group Bayerische Versorgungskammer (BVK), and the Australian Government’s Clean Energy Finance Corporation (CEFC), alongside major Australian and German insurance providers.
The name “Bunya Orchards” pays homage to the Bunya Pine, a distinctive tree native to the Queensland landscape. Historically and culturally, the Bunya Pine holds immense significance for the Gubbi Gubbi people. It serves as a powerful symbol of abundance and community, traditionally bringing various tribes together to share in the seasonal nut harvests through ceremonial gatherings and social exchange. By adopting this name, New Forests acknowledges the deep cultural heritage and natural bounty of the region it now helps steward.
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