New Zealand: all programs

New Zealand in brief

New Zealand is an island country in the south-western Pacific, 2,000 kilometres east of Australia. Its main territory is the North and South Islands, and the population is about 5.3 million. The capital is Wellington, and the largest city and business centre is Auckland, home to about a third of the population. The British King is head of state, and the country is run by parliament and the prime minister. The official languages are English, Māori and New Zealand Sign Language, and the currency is the New Zealand dollar, worth about $0.57.

The economy rests on exports of dairy, meat, wool, fruit and wine, tourism, film and technology. New Zealand suits wealthy investors who want residence without an English test or long stays, specialists in in-demand occupations and families who value nature, safety and a calm life. It suits less those seeking low taxes on salaries, inexpensive housing or proximity to Europe.

History and government

The first settlers were Polynesians, ancestors of the Māori, about 700 years ago. In 1840 Māori chiefs and the British Crown signed the Treaty of Waitangi, which is still regarded as the country's founding document and shapes laws on land and indigenous rights. In 1893 New Zealand became the first country in the world to give women the vote. Today it is a parliamentary monarchy without a single written constitution, with a single-chamber parliament and one of the lowest levels of corruption in the world.

How to move in 2026

Since 1 April 2025 the English test for investors has been abolished, and since March 2026 investors can buy one home in the country worth from 5 million New Zealand dollars. Citizenship is granted after 5 years with a resident visa if you spent at least 1,350 days in the country over 5 years and at least 240 days in each year, and dual citizenship is allowed.

Taxes

The tax year runs from 1 April to 31 March. Income tax ranges from 10.5% to 39%, with the top rate on income above 180,000 New Zealand dollars. A further 1.75% is deducted from salaries for accident compensation. Goods and services tax is 15%, and corporate tax 28%. There is no general capital gains, inheritance or gift tax, but selling a home within 2 years and some foreign investments are taxed under special rules. New residents get 4 years without tax on foreign passive income. More on the page about New Zealand taxes.

Property

Since 2018 foreigners who do not live in the country permanently have been banned from buying existing homes. Buyers can be citizens, resident visa holders living in New Zealand, Australian and Singaporean citizens, and since March 2026 active investor programme investors if the home costs from 5 million New Zealand dollars. There is no stamp duty on purchase; costs are a lawyer and property checks. More on the page about property in New Zealand.

Cost of living

New Zealand is expensive: groceries, petrol and rents in Auckland and Wellington cost as much as in Australia's big cities or more, because much is imported from far away. Housing in the regions is more affordable. Resident visa holders use public healthcare, while temporary visa holders need private insurance. State schools are free for residents' children, and usually also for children of work visa holders.

Where to live

• Auckland. The largest city between two harbours, the business centre, with the widest choice of jobs and schools and the most expensive housing.
• Wellington. A compact capital with ministries, film and tech, and windy weather.
• Christchurch. The South Island's main city, rebuilt after the 2011 earthquake, with more affordable housing.
• Queenstown. A mountain resort with skiing and adventure sports and very expensive housing.
• Tauranga and Nelson. Sunny seaside towns popular with families and retirees.

Practicalities

• Entry. Russian citizens need a visa even for a trip, and citizens of visa-waiver countries an electronic travel authority.
• Border. Very strict controls on bringing in food, plants and equipment, with on-the-spot fines for undeclared food.
• Roads. Traffic drives on the left, and people drive or fly between cities.
• Climate. Temperate maritime, with seasons opposite to the northern hemisphere and winter snow in the South Island mountains.
• Earthquakes. The country is seismically active, building codes are strict, and homes are insured against earthquakes.
• Getting there. Sydney is about 3 hours away, and Europe more than a day with a connection.

Business and companies

A company is registered online in a few hours, but at least one director must live in New Zealand, or live in Australia and be a director of an Australian company. The company receives a business number and registers for goods and services tax at turnover of 60,000 New Zealand dollars a year. The company itself does not give the right to live in the country. More on the page about company registration in New Zealand.

Who New Zealand suits

New Zealand is a choice for investors with capital from $2.8 million who want residence with minimal presence and no language test, and for specialists on the green list. It is one of the safest and calmest countries in the world, but far from the rest of it. Write in the chat and we will calculate the full cost of the investor programme for your family.