New Zealand Reopens Luxury Property Market

New Zealand is reopening high-end real estate to global wealth as demand for safe havens rises amid global uncertainty. The move reverses restrictions imposed in 2018 through changes to the Active Investor Plus visa, which take effect in April 2025. Under the revised rules, foreigners investing about $2.9 million can immediately purchase homes priced above that threshold without becoming tax residents. The visa also grants indefinite permanent residence, while easing residency requirements: applicants now need to spend only 21 days in New Zealand over three years, down sharply from 117 days. The policy is designed to attract high-net-worth capital and long-term investment into the luxury property sector, positioning New Zealand as a haven for international capital. The shift contrasts with Australia, which in 2025 imposed a two-year ban on foreign purchases of existing homes, underscoring New Zealand’s bid to differentiate itself in the regional real estate market.