New Zealand real estate investment information for the foreign investor. New Zealand encourages foreign investment without discrimination. The Overseas Investment Commission (OIC) must give consent to foreign investments that would control 25% of more of businesses or property worth more than NZ$50 million, although the government has proposed raising that threshold to NZ$100 million. Restrictions and approval requirements also apply to certain investments in land and in the commercial fishing industry. OIC consent is based on a national interest determination. While no performance requirements are currently attached to foreign direct investment after consent is given, the government has proposed requiring foreign buyers of land to report periodically on their compliance with the terms of the consent. Full remittance of profits and capital is permitted through normal banking channels.

In practice, the OIC approval requirements have not been an obstacle for U.S. investors. Very few applications have been turned down (only 28, versus 1,223 granted, from 1999-2003), and those usually involved land intended for farming purposes, residential subdivision or accommodation. In 2003, eight applications were refused, compared to nine in 2002.

The Overseas Investment Commission operates a comprehensive Internet website (www.oic.govt.nz) that explains New Zealand investment policy and walks potential investors through the application process.

New Zealand properties are exhibiting both strong Rental Demand and returns (yield) and excellent appreciation (capital growth) in both city and country areas. These are the characteristics of a sound investment. It must be remembered that there is a degree of risk associated with any investment and past performance of an investment does not guarantee future performance of that investment.

Resources

Investment New Zealand, the government’s investment promotion agency, works with offshore investors to facilitate investment in New Zealand.

New Zealand Trade and Enterprise is the New Zealand Government's national economic development agency. It provides a range of services, including Market New Zealand, the Escalator Service, and biz.org to help New Zealand businesses achieve success at home and overseas.

MarketNewZealand.com is New Zealand's gateway to international trade, provided by New Zealand Trade and Enterprise to connect New Zealand exporters and overseas buyers.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade focuses on New Zealand's international relations, including trade policy. Its web site includes a list of diplomatic posts around the world.

The Ministry of Economic Development focuses on sustainable economic development. Its web site provides information about all aspects of New Zealand’s economic development policies including the legal framework, regulation of specific markets, policy-making and implementation.

New Zealand’s Immigration Service manages an Investor residence category that recognises the potential contribution international investors make to building a strong and vibrant New Zealand.

The NZVCA's mission is to develop a world-best venture capital and private equity environment for the benefit of investors and entrepreneurs in New Zealand.

EDANZ is the national representative body promoting the interests of independent economic development agencies and economic development units within city and district councils.

The New Zealand Government portal provides a convenient single entry-point on the internet to all agencies of central and local government. The portal includes an overview of government services and provides links to agency web sites.

The Overseas Investment Commission administers the New Zealand Government's foreign investment policies. The Commission's core role is to assess applications from foreigners who wishing to make substantial investments in New Zealand.