Flood Of Interest To Invest In New Zealand
Minister for Economic Growth
Hon Erica Stanford
Minister of Immigration
The Government is attracting new migrants to bring their capital, experience and skills to New Zealand with a flood of formal interest in the new 'golden' visa.
Since only April – less than three months – Immigration New Zealand (INZ) has received 189 applications for the Active Investor Plus visa, significantly more than the 116 applications received over more than two-and-a-half years under previous settings, Economic Growth Minister Nicola Willis says.
'New applications under the scheme represent a potential $845 million of new investment in New Zealand business.'
"Attracting investment to New Zealand is crucial to the country's economic growth. It means Kiwi businesses can expand, hire and grow – and that means more opportunities for New Zealanders.
'Investor migrants are clearly attracted to New Zealand's growing reputation as a safe, pro-business, high-potential economy. In a world where countries compete for dollars and talent, it's great to see New Zealand's growth prospects being recognised.'
'New investors don't just bring their dollars to our shores, they also bring skills, knowledge and experience that will drive future economic development. It's a win-win.'
Immigration Minister Erica Stanford says the interest shows investors hear the call loud and clear: New Zealand is open for business.
'We welcome your capital, your knowledge, and your contribution to New Zealand's economic growth,' Ms Stanford says.
'We're seeing strong momentum from global investors, particularly across Asia and North America. This reflects our growing reputation as a stable, forward-looking destination for investment and innovation.
'These are smart, flexible and nuanced immigration solutions to help stimulate economic growth.'
On April 1 the Government changed the Active Investor Plus visa to a simple two-pronged system: the Growth category and the Balanced category.
Other changes included expanding the scope of acceptable investments and removing potential barriers to investment, such as the English language requirement.
As at 23 June, 100 applications had been approved in principle, and of those, seven had transferred and invested their funds in New Zealand and had been granted a resident visa. Five of those were invested in the Growth category and two under the Balanced category, totalling a total minimum investment of $45 million.
The Growth category for this Visa focuses on higher-risk investments, including managed funds and direct investments in New Zealand businesses. It will require a minimum investment of NZD $5 million for a minimum period of 3 years.
The Balance category focuses on mixed investments, with the ability to choose ones that are lower risk. There will be a minimum investment of NZD $10 million over 5 years.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Otago Daily Times
an hour ago
- Otago Daily Times
Nearly 200 apply for 'golden visa' in three months
Nearly 200 applications have been received for the so-called 'golden visa' since changes were made to liberalise access. The government made changes in April to make it easier for wealthy foreigners to gain New Zealand residency through investment. Since then, Immigration New Zealand has received 189 applications for the visa. Economic growth minister Nicola Willis said that was significantly more than the 116 appliciations received over more than two and a half years under the previous settings. "Investor migrants are clearly attracted to New Zealand's growing reputation as a safe, pro-business, high-potential economy. In a world where countries compete for dollars and talent, it's great to see New Zealand's growth prospects being recognised," she said. The changes introduced a two-pronged approach to the visa, and liberalised what could be invested in. The Growth category requires a minimum investment of $5m over three years, into higher-risk investments including managed funds and direct investments in New Zealand businesses. The Balanced category requires a minimum investment of $10m over five years, with investors being allowed to choose lower-risk investments. Under the previous settings, $15m was required for a visa, with bonds and property investments not allowed. As at June 23rd, 100 applications have been approved in principal. Of those, seven have transferred and invested their funds in New Zealand and had been granted a visa. Five of those were invested in the Growth category, and two in the Balanced. The government said that was a total minimum investment of $45m. The new applications represented a potential $845m of new investment. Immigration minister Erica Stanford said she would have been happy with 200 applications in the first year. "As of this week we're almost at 190 after 10 weeks, and I think that shows you the level of interest from overseas, in lots of different markets we haven't seen before," she said. The strongest interest in the visa had come from the United States, China, Hong Kong, and Germany. Investors have six months to transfer their funds and start investing in New Zealand. Willis said the visa complemented the Investment Boost policy announced at the Budget, which allows businesses to deduct 20 percent of the cost of a new asset, on top of depreciation. "The Active Investor Plus delivers the capital. Investment Boost delivers the confidence to put that capital to work, and to ensure that people are making investments that will pay off in the long run."
Otago Daily Times
2 hours ago
- Otago Daily Times
Destiny Church march 'not Kiwi, nor Christian'
The Minister for Ethnic Communities says he was "appalled" by a Destiny Church march on Saturday which was neither "Kiwi, nor Christian". Church followers marched down Auckland's Queen Street on Saturday against "foreign religions", with leader Brian Tamaki saying the church was building a "Commonwealth crusade" to "reclaim Christian nations". A number of flags were also set on fire but were put out before firefighters arrived. In a post to Facebook, Minister Mark Mitchell said everyone had a right to freedom of speech and protest. "That does mean, however, that New Zealanders are free to condemn behaviour that is not in keeping with our values as a country and as a wider community. "I am proud to be the Minister of Ethnic Communities in a multicultural and diverse New Zealand, which has had a proud history of welcoming people from all walks of life." Destiny Church said the march was to take "a bold public stand for Christian values, Kiwi identity and the future of this nation". Mitchell said behaviour that incited discrimination or violence was "damaging" and condemned the "vile rhetoric and behaviour" of the Church and its associates. "The behaviour I saw was not Kiwi, nor Christian. "The use of taiaha, which is a culturally sacred weapon, to overtly stab at flags representing minority groups in our country, while being torn to pieces and burnt is not acceptable." Mitchell said the government had a strong focus in public safety. "Anything that threatens or disturbs the public's right to go about their lives free from threat of violence is something I take very seriously. "New Zealand welcomes all people, of all backgrounds and ethnicities, who are willing to behave in a way that is tolerant and reflective of our values. The actions I saw from Destiny Church this weekend in my view are not welcome in New Zealand." On Saturday, Acting Prime Minister David Seymour denounced the marching, saying it was "un-Kiwi". "What it means to be Kiwi is people come from all over the world, and so long as they come peacefully to build a better world, then they're welcome," Seymour said. "Brian Tamaki's various attitudes have all sorts of problems, but at their heart they're un-Kiwi attitudes because they're intolerant and uninclusive. "What I take issue with is his attacks on other New Zealander's right to practice their faith just as he has a right to practice his." 'Despicable event' - faith and ethnic communities It comes as faith and ethnic communities urge the government get moving on hate speech legislation in response to a Destiny Church march on the weekend. The Federation of Islamic Associations of New Zealand, the Combined Sikh Association of NZ, and the New Zealand Buddhist Council say the event was "despicable" and New Zealand needs a strategy for social cohesion. In a letter to the government, all MPs and public sector agencies, the groups said there were "elements" in New Zealand who exploit the lack of effective hate speech legislation to gain notoriety for through "racist stunts". "With the rapid rise of hate incidents reported to the NZ Police, we now have similar conditions which gave rise to the terror attacks of 15 March. In an increasing diverse multi-faith and multi-ethnic Aotearoa New Zealand, there needs to be in place a sustained strategy for social cohesion." "This was clearly outlined and specified in detail in the Royal Commission, which have now been mostly abandoned." In the letter the groups requested: • A consensus approach by all political parties on ensuring social cohesion is a national priority. • Expediting the work of the Law Commission on hate crime and include recommendations on the way forward for effective hate speech legislation. • Funding and curriculum resources for schools so tamariki can be exposed to multiculturalism and respect for all communities. • Completion of the recommendations of the Royal Commission. • Funding community-led social cohesion education programmes which emphasise community connections and living with diversity.
RNZ News
2 hours ago
- RNZ News
Minister for Ethnic Communities Mark Mitchell condemns Destiny Church march: 'Not Kiwi, nor Christian'
Minister for Ethnic Communities Mark Mitchell. Photo: RNZ / Marika Khabazi The Minister for Ethnic Communities says he was "appalled" by a Destiny Church march on Saturday which was neither "Kiwi, nor Christian". Church followers marched down Auckland's Queen Street on Saturday against "foreign religions", with leader Brian Tamaki saying the church was building a "Commonwealth crusade" to "reclaim Christian nations". A number of flags were also set on fire but were put out before firefighters arrived. Protesters at the Destiny Church rally in Auckland. Photo: RNZ In a post to Facebook, Minister Mark Mitchell said everyone had a right to freedom of speech and protest. "That does mean, however, that New Zealanders are free to condemn behaviour that is not in keeping with our values as a country and as a wider community. "I am proud to be the Minister of Ethnic Communities in a multicultural and diverse New Zealand, which has had a proud history of welcoming people from all walks of life." Destiny Church said the march was to take "a bold public stand for Christian values, Kiwi identity and the future of this nation". Mitchell said behaviour that incited discrimination or violence was "damaging" and condemned the "vile rhetoric and behaviour" of the Church and its associates. "The behaviour I saw was not Kiwi, nor Christian. "The use of taiaha, which is a culturally sacred weapon, to overtly stab at flags representing minority groups in our country, while being torn to pieces and burnt is not acceptable." Mitchell said the government had a strong focus in public safety. "Anything that threatens or disturbs the public's right to go about their lives free from threat of violence is something I take very seriously. "New Zealand welcomes all people, of all backgrounds and ethnicities, who are willing to behave in a way that is tolerant and reflective of our values. The actions I saw from Destiny Church this weekend in my view are not welcome in New Zealand." Protesters and counter-protesters at the Destiny Church rally. Photo: RNZ On Saturday, Acting Prime Minister David Seymour denounced the marching, saying it was "un-Kiwi". "What it means to be Kiwi is people come from all over the world, and so long as they come peacefully to build a better world, then they're welcome," Seymour said. "Brian Tamaki's various attitudes have all sorts of problems, but at their heart they're un-Kiwi attitudes because they're intolerant and uninclusive. "What I take issue with is his attacks on other New Zealander's right to practice their faith just as he has a right to practice his." It comes as faith and ethnic communities urge the government get moving on hate speech legislation in response to a Destiny Church march on the weekend. The Federation of Islamic Associations of New Zealand, the Combined Sikh Association of NZ, and the New Zealand Buddhist Council say the event was "despicable" and New Zealand needs a strategy for social cohesion. In a letter to the government, all MPs and public sector agencies, the groups said there were "elements" in New Zealand who exploit the lack of effective hate speech legislation to gain notoriety for through "racist stunts". "With the rapid rise of hate incidents reported to the NZ Police, we now have similar conditions which gave rise to the terror attacks of 15 March. In an increasing diverse multi-faith and multi-ethnic Aotearoa New Zealand, there needs to be in place a sustained strategy for social cohesion." "This was clearly outlined and specified in detail in the Royal Commission, which have now been mostly abandoned." In the letter the groups requested: Sign up for Ngā Pitopito Kōrero , a daily newsletter curated by our editors and delivered straight to your inbox every weekday.
