Sunita Somvanshi
New Zealand wants more foreign money to help grow its economy. The government is changing its rules to make it simpler for wealthy people from other countries to invest and live there.
The government is creating new investment visa categories. Investors can choose between putting NZ$5 million into higher-risk investments or NZ$10 million into mixed-risk investments. As part of making the process simpler, the government has reviewed requirements that might stop investors from applying.
“We need to make New Zealand attractive for people looking to do business,” says Immigration Minister Erica Stanford. These changes come after New Zealand’s economy shrank in late 2024.
For the different investment categories, investors will need to spend different amounts of time in New Zealand. Those in the higher-risk category will have shorter stay requirements than those choosing mixed-risk investments, though people investing more money may be able to reduce their required time in the country.
Winston Peters, the Deputy Prime Minister, suggests the government might also let big investors buy homes in New Zealand. Right now, only Australians and Singaporeans who don’t live in New Zealand can buy houses there. “If someone brings NZ$50 million to create jobs and boost exports, we’ll consider letting them buy property,” Peters explains.
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David Cooper, who works with investors, says many people from Germany, the United States, Japan, and Korea are interested. “They’re worried about situations in their own countries and want other options,” he says.
While countries like Spain and the UK are making their investor rules stricter, New Zealand is making them simpler and more flexible. This could bring more money into the country, create jobs, and help businesses grow. However, it might also affect house prices and change how local businesses compete.
The government has also created a new office called Invest New Zealand to handle overseas investment. This one-stop-shop will help coordinate foreign investment in the country.
This new approach shows how New Zealand is trying to balance two things: getting more money into its economy while protecting local interests. The success of these changes will depend on whether New Zealand can attract investors while making sure the benefits reach local communities through new jobs and business opportunities.
