In a statement yesterday, Land Information New Zealand deputy chief executive policy and overseas investment Lisa Barrett said her office had ''looked into'' the good character condition imposed on Mr Lauer at the time he became the leaseholder of Hunter Valley Station on the shores of Lake Hawea.
As part of the condition of consent, Mr Lauer was required to ''remain of good character in regards to his fitness to continue to hold (Hunter Valley Station)'', Ms Barrett said.
A year after purchasing the lease, Mr Lauer was fired by NBC for inappropriate sexual behaviour towards female work colleagues, and apologised for the pain he had caused.
Ms Barrett said yesterday her office's investigation, and legal advice, had ''reached the position that we have insufficient evidence at this time to take proceedings against Mr Lauer for breach of the condition''.
The OIO would continue to monitor ''the matter'' and had ''made it clear'' to Mr Lauer that he had an obligation to remain of good character.
Ms Barrett said sworn statements to the OIO by Mr Lauer could not be made public ''as they contain confidential material relating to the terms of Mr Lauer's employment at NBC''.
While some social media allegations against Mr Lauer were ''troubling'', the OIO could not rely on them, she said.
She noted Mr Lauer had not been charged with any offence ''and the evidence available to the OIO at this time does not establish that Mr Lauer is unfit to continue to hold (the Hunter Valley lease)''.
''However in reaching this position we do not condone the inappropriate way that Mr Lauer has behaved,'' Ms Barrett said.
At the time Mr Lauer purchased the station lease, valued at $13million, the OIO said ''the benefit will be, or is likely to be, substantial and identifiable.''
