Investment property: New Zealand
New Zealand is an attractive but largely closed jurisdiction for non-residents.
Since 2018, foreign investment legislation has barred most foreigners from buying existing homes; exceptions apply to citizens of Australia and Singapore. Opportunities remain in specific segments - new developments and commercial property through the consent regime, and in 2025 the government announced a relaxation for holders of the Active Investor Plus visa, allowing them to buy high-value homes. Buying property does not by itself grant a visa or residency.
We start with the key question - whether you are eligible to buy a given property at all - and then build the route: selection within permitted segments, approvals with the overseas investment regulator, legal due diligence, transaction support and ownership structuring. If your goal is to live in New Zealand, we will explain honestly that the path runs through visa categories, and help connect them to a purchase where possible.
Who can buy a home in New Zealand
| Buyer | Can buy a home |
|---|---|
| New Zealand citizens and residents, Australian and Singaporean citizens | yes |
| Investor visa holders, including the active investor program | from 2026, one home worth NZD 5 million or more, ~$2,795,700, bought or built, with overseas investment office consent |
| Other foreigners | no, the ban on buying homes has applied since 2018 |
Parliament passed the overseas investment amendments in December 2025; the general ban remains. Fewer than 1% of the country's homes are above the 5 million threshold. Residence by investment comes through the active investor program from NZD 5 million: more on our New Zealand residence by investment page.
We will calculate online the full purchase cost for your budget: taxes, fees and transaction costs.
Home owner taxes
- Gains on selling a home other than your main home are taxed at 10.5-39% if sold within 2 years of purchase.
- Rental income is taxed on the same scale; mortgage interest has again been fully deductible since 1 April 2025.
- There is no inheritance tax and no general capital gains tax.
- Local property rates are set by the municipal council.
What we do
- We check whether you can buy: citizenship, visa type, the NZD 5 million threshold.
- We prepare the overseas investment office application.
- We support property checks and the deal.
- We calculate taxes on letting and a future sale.
What we do
- Property shortlist for your investment goal
- Legal due diligence on the property
- End-to-end transaction support
- Ownership structuring (company, trust)
- Property management and letting
See also
Company formation · Business account · Personal account · Country taxes · All country programs
FAQ
Can a foreigner buy property in New Zealand?
Does buying property grant New Zealand residency?
Where do I start?
Can a foreigner buy a house in New Zealand in 2026?
What tax applies when selling a home in New Zealand?
Does New Zealand have inheritance tax?
Can Australian citizens buy a home in New Zealand?
Does an investor visa holder need consent to buy a home in New Zealand?
How is rental income taxed in New Zealand?
Want to buy property in New Zealand?
We explain which New Zealand properties your citizenship and status allow you to buy, shortlist options and review the documents. Every country is in the searchable catalogue.
The Murblz consultant replies straight away in the chat on this page. Describe your situation and we will work it out together.
Free consultation