Fonterra says the demand from overseas to buy New Zealand farms and dairy factories is getting more intense.
The dairy co-operative says growing worries over food security are behind the demand.
Fonterra is now seeking rule changes to strengthen its balance sheet.
Chairman Sir Henry van der Heyden says it needs to compete with powerful overseas fund managers seeking long-term contracts over world food supplies.
Figures from the United Nations show the world needs to produce 70% more food than now by 2050, from land that isn't available.
Sir Henry says overseas investors have been buying New Zealand farms for years and the trend is increasing.
