DON'T CALIFORNICATE NEW ZEALAND.

At the start of this century, I went to New Zealand to watch some America's Cup racing, and also to be in a not-bad place to hang out should the worst Y2K fears materialize.  (They didn't, and the Kiwis kept the Cup: the U.S. challengers didn't even get to the finals.)

At the time, I noticed all the scenic ridges above towns like Christchurch and Queenstown and to an extent Wellington were sprouting trophy houses: the Californication of which I speak.

No more, at least for outlanders.

New Zealand’s parliament has banned non-residents from purchasing most types of homes, aside from new apartments in large developments. (Australians and Singaporeans are exempt because of free-trade deals.)

The bill, passed narrowly yesterday, was reportedly heralded by New Zealand’s Trade and Economic Development Minister David Parker as a “significant milestone.”

Said Parker, “This government believes that New Zealanders should not be outbid by wealthier foreign buyers . . . Whether it’s a beautiful lakeside or ocean-front estate, or a modest suburban house, this law ensures that the market for our homes is set in New Zealand, not on the international market.”

Perhaps some of that buying years ago was based on Y2K being the apocalyptic scenario, rather than whatever the current apocalyptic vision is.