New Zealand is a great place to live and do business. Our societal, environmental, and geopolitical advantages and our abundant business opportunities have always created a lot of interest in settling here permanently.
New Zealand’s handling of the COVID-19 pandemic and the way our society has united to fight it, giving us the potential to reopen our economy before many parts of the world, has further increased our appeal to migrants.
As a result, we’re experiencing a large upswing in expressions of interest from individuals and companies from all over the world looking to settle or set up in New Zealand, and specifically Auckland, once international borders reopen.
New Zealand’s response to the coronavirus pandemic has been the best in the world and is the country that gives business leaders the most confidence for future investment, according to a Bloomberg Media survey.
New Zealand ranked strongly for political stability, the economic recovery, virus control, and social resilience in Bloomberg’s market crisis management index.
Investment is a popular visa pathway to permanent residency and citizenship, with Immigration New Zealand (INZ) offering two classes of investor visa. Tātaki Auckland Unlimited works with applicants INZ has approved in order to help them land in Auckland successfully.
Here’s a summary of INZ information on the investor visa pathways, with clickable links. Please visit their website for full criteria and conditions:
Immigration New Zealand Investor Visas
Investor Visa
NZ$3 million, invested for four years
146 days in NZ in each of the last three years of a four-year investment period, or 438 days in NZ over the four-year investment period*
- Minimum three years’ business experience
- English language requirements apply
- Family members must have English language ability the same as principal applicant or pre-purchase ESOL tuition
- Maximum applicant age 65 years
Investor Plus Visa
NZ$10 million, invested for three years
44 days in NZ in each of the last two years of a three-year investment period or 88 days over the three-year investment period*
*depending on the make-up of your investment
Acceptable investments for investor visas
Acceptable investments must:
- be able to make a commercial return
- be invested in NZ
- be invested in NZ dollars
- be invested in legal enterprises or managed funds
- have the potential to contribute to NZ’s economy, and
- not be for your personal use, for example, your home, boat or car.
Investments must be in bonds, equities, property or other investments.
Bonds can be:
- issued by the NZ government or local authorities
- issued by NZ firms traded on the NZ Debt Securities Market (NZDX)
- issued by NZ firms with at least a BBB- or equivalent rating from an internationally recognised credit rating agency, for example, Standard & Poor’s
- issued by NZ-registered banks, or
- in finance companies.
Equity can be:
- in NZ firms – these can be public or private
- in NZ-registered banks, or
- eligible NZ venture capital funds.
Property can be:
- residential property development, or
- commercial property.
Other investments can be:
- philanthropic investment, or
- angel funds or networks’ investments.
Find out more
Contact Investment Specialist Paul Wilkinson to learn more about investing in Auckland, New Zealand.
This article provides general information on potential investment opportunities in Auckland and is not intended to be used as a substitute for financial advice. The views and opinions expressed are those of the relevant author, and do not necessarily reflect the views of Tātaki Auckland Unlimited. Tātaki Auckland Unlimited disclaims all liability in connection with any action that may be taken in reliance on this article, and for any error, deficiency, flaw or omission contained in it.