Why New Zealand residency is climbing the ranks for investment migration

Not everybody loved Jacinda Ardern, but for many she symbolized empathy, moral conviction, and inclusion in a world facing upheaval. Today, lifestyle arbitrage is gaining momentum, and New Zealand offers a rare combination: political neutrality, geographic safety, English language, a British-style legal system, and high-touch lifestyle value. For discerning investors seeking not just safety but long-term options, New Zealand residency via the Active Investor Plus visa delivers a compelling gateway to a country defined by beauty, stability, and strategic distance. 

I have met with a few New Zealand-based fund managers in the past few weeks, and the one thing that stands out is their deep, abiding pride in the perfect scenic beauty of their home country. Many commented on their presentation photos by pointing out, “It is real, not photoshopped or enhanced, this is really what it looks like here.” They all tried to explain to me why the All Blacks is such a strong brand, but then “I am South African… my Springbok team holds the Rugby World Cup so let’s talk about the visa instead…”

A global outlier: why it matters

New Zealand’s appeal is deeply structural. Politically, it is a stable parliamentary democracy with low corruption, high trust in institutions, and consistent rule of law. Economically, it benefits from strong trade relationships with Asia-Pacific markets while maintaining tight capital controls, sound financial regulation, and investor-friendly tax policy. There is no capital gains tax on most assets.

There is no inheritance tax. And for newly arrived tax residents, foreign-sourced income can be exempt for up to four years. In a world of growing cross-border tax exposure, this clarity is critical. Its distance, often cited as a drawback, may now be one of its biggest assets. New Zealand offers an ocean-buffered retreat, free of geopolitical tension and with robust biosecurity.

For families who want the option of a clean, stable, English-speaking base in the Southern Hemisphere, it remains one of the strongest plays available. Given the Russia/Ukraine and Iran/Israel/Gaza … and dare I say USA … wars, this distance is now a positive.

Understanding the Active Investor Plus visa

Launched in 2022, the Active Investor Plus visa replaced the previous Investor 1 and 2 categories and now focuses more intentionally on productive investments. To qualify, investors must commit a minimum of NZD 5 million to an acceptable investment. Unlike passive real estate programs, this visa incentivizes capital into direct investments and managed funds that support the New Zealand economy.

Key highlights:

• Investment thresholds range from NZD 5 million (highly active investments) to NZD 10 million (balanced portfolios).

• The program applies a weighting system based on investment type, encouraging direct investment over passive equity or listed assets.

• Applicants must spend a minimum number of days in New Zealand, either 21 or 105 days over the four-year investment period, depending on the structure of their portfolio.

  
  

Who is the New Zealand Residency for?

The New Zealand Active Investor Plus visa is well-suited to:

• Founders and family offices looking to diversify holdings geographically.

• Retirees or semi-retirees seeking English-speaking, low-conflict jurisdictions with first-world healthcare and infrastructure.

• Parents with children in Australian or New Zealand schools or universities.

• Legacy-minded families seeking a long-term Plan B without aggressive tax exposure.

  
  

Why now?

Demand for Western-aligned, low-risk jurisdictions has never been higher. As North America and Europe confront polarization, immigration gridlock, and mounting regulatory complexity, New Zealand’s offering stands apart. It is not a fast-track to citizenship. Nor is it ideal for those seeking high-yield, short-term investments. But for those playing the long game, investors who prioritize stability, structure, and discretion, it offers an unmatched mix of benefits.

What to consider

New Zealand’s Active Investor Plus visa is not plug-and-play. Investors must be willing to engage with local business ecosystems, pass character and health checks, and maintain active investment management.

But for those aligned with its values and ready to deploy meaningful capital, the upside is significant: access to New Zealand residency in one of the world’s most desirable nations, without the relocation requirement.

Take a look at our New Zealand country program page to find out more.