Frequently Asked Questions

Golden Visa Questions

  • New Zealand's Golden Visa, officially known as the Active Investor Plus (AIP) programme, offers a clear pathway to permanent residency for high-net-worth individuals who make a qualifying investment in New Zealand. Two categories are available: the Growth Golden Visa (Active Investor 1), requiring a minimum $5M NZD investment over three years, and the Balanced Golden Visa (Active Investor 2), requiring a minimum $10M NZD investment over five years. Both deliver truly permanent residency on completion, with no ongoing time requirements.

    From 6 March 2026, Active Investor Plus visa holders can also purchase or build one residential property in New Zealand valued at $5M or more, without first establishing residency. Tui Estate's turn-key packages are priced to meet the Growth Golden Visa threshold directly through your property purchase.

  • Yes. Both packages are priced above $5M NZD, satisfying the Growth Golden Visa (Active Investor 1) minimum investment requirement directly through your property purchase. No separate investment is needed.

    From 6 March 2026, Active Investor Plus visa holders based overseas can purchase or build one residential property in New Zealand valued at $5M or more without first establishing residency, with OIO consent typically processed within five working days.

    Lot 9 is priced at $5,075,000 NZD and Lot 12 at $5,150,000 NZD. These are architecturally designed luxury high country residences that happen to align perfectly with the visa pathway, not properties built merely to meet an investment threshold.

  • Generally no, but there is a specific exception for Active Investor Plus visa holders. From 6 March 2026, AIP visa holders from any country, including the United States, can purchase or build one residential property in New Zealand valued at $5M or more, without first establishing residency. OIO consent is required but is typically processed within five working days.

  • Yes. New Zealand's Golden Visa, officially the Active Investor Plus programme, offers a direct pathway to permanent residency for US investors. The Growth Golden Visa requires a minimum $5M NZD investment over three years, with just 21 days per year in New Zealand during that period. At the end of the investment period, residency is permanently yours with no ongoing time requirements.

  • The Growth Golden Visa requires a minimum investment of $5M NZD, approximately $3M USD at current exchange rates. Tui Estate's turn-key packages are priced to meet this threshold directly through your property purchase, meaning no separate investment is required.

  • No. New Zealand has no capital gains tax, no gift tax, no estate tax, and no wealth tax. For American investors accustomed to significant tax obligations on investment returns, this is a meaningful advantage.

  • New Zealand consistently ranks among the world's most stable and peaceful countries, with strong rule of law, low corruption, and a legal system rooted in English common law. It is the third most peaceful country in the world according to the Global Peace Index, and the most peaceful in the Asia-Pacific region.

  • During the investment period, the time you must spend in New Zealand depends on your Golden Visa category. The Growth Golden Visa (Active Investor 1) requires a minimum of 21 days per year, while the Balanced Golden Visa (Active Investor 2) requires a minimum of 105 days per year. Once the investment period is complete, your residency becomes permanent with no ongoing stay requirements, a significant advantage compared with many other countries' programmes.

  • Not during the investment period. Growth Golden Visa holders must spend a minimum of 21 days per year in New Zealand during the three-year investment period. After that, residency is permanent with no ongoing stay requirements.

  • Yes. Your partner and dependent children aged 24 and under can be included in your Active Investor Plus application at no additional investment requirement.

  • Processing times vary, but Approval in Principle typically takes around 35 working days once a complete application is submitted. Working with an experienced immigration consultant significantly streamlines the process. As of May 2026, 659 applications have been received with 247 resident visas already granted.

  • Auckland is approximately 12 to 13 hours from Los Angeles and around 16 to 17 hours from New York. Christchurch, the nearest city to Tui Estate, is a short domestic flight from Auckland. Direct flights between New Zealand and the US operate year-round.

  • This is a complex area that depends on your individual circumstances. Unlike most countries, the United States taxes its citizens on worldwide income regardless of where they live. We strongly recommend consulting a US tax specialist with international experience before making any investment decisions. We can refer you to advisers experienced in this area.

  • The Active Investor Plus programme is growing rapidly, with nearly NZD $4 billion in committed and pipeline investment since the April 2025 reforms. Immigration advisers note that as application volumes grow, governments often refine criteria, adjust timelines, or tighten compliance settings. Those who qualify under current settings are encouraged not to delay.

    On the property side, Tui Estate's turn-key packages are released progressively. Two are available now. Once sold, you will need to wait for the next release, and there is no guarantee the next packages will be priced at the current threshold.

  • As of May 2026, the largest applicant groups are from the United States (234 applications), China (108), Hong Kong (91), and Germany (48). Americans now represent over 35% of all applications. Applicants cite geopolitical stability, quality of life, and New Zealand's natural environment as primary motivations.

  • Your residency becomes permanently yours—no further time requirements, no renewal processes. Unlike other golden visa programmes globally, New Zealand’s permanent residency truly is permanent.

Tui Estate Questions

  • Each package represents a complete luxury high country residence: 1.0 hectare freehold land, architecturally designed home by leading New Zealand architects, premium finishes and materials selected for both aesthetics and the demanding high country environment, all services (gravity-fed mountain stream water, underground power, fibre broadband), professional project management, and construction to the highest standards.

  • All homes at Tui Estate are designed and built by David Reid Homes, one of New Zealand's most awarded architectural home builders. Every package is delivered on a fixed-price contract with a Master Builder's Guarantee, providing certainty on cost and timeline. Carl Fordyce leads the Canterbury builds and has won multiple Registered Master Builders House of the Year Awards, including Gold in 2023 and Gold and Silver in 2024.

  • Yes. While the packages are designed to be turn-key, there is considerable scope to personalise your home, from interior finish selections and materials through to layout modifications and design changes. David Reid Homes will work with you to tailor the design to your preferences. The earlier you engage with Carl in the process, the more flexibility you have. Contact David Reid Homes to discuss your ideas.

  • Absolutely. The renders shown on the website are concept designs created to illustrate the quality and character of what is possible at Tui Estate. If you would prefer to start with a completely different architectural vision, that is entirely welcome. David Reid Homes will work with you from the outset to create a bespoke design that suits your preferences, lifestyle and budget, within the estate's architectural covenants which ensure quality and landscape integration across the development. Contact Barry or Carl to discuss your ideas.

  • Typical build times are 12-18 months from commencement, depending on design complexity and weather. Your project manager will provide detailed timelines specific to your package.

  • No. All lots are sold as turn-key packages inclusive of land and construction by David Reid Homes. This ensures architectural quality and landscape integration across the estate, and ensures every package meets the Golden Visa investment threshold.

  • Each lot is freehold, meaning you own the land outright with no leasehold or strata title complications. This is straightforward fee simple ownership under New Zealand law, one of the most secure and transparent property ownership frameworks in the world.

  • Yes, but it is straightforward. From 6 March 2026, Active Investor Plus visa holders can apply to the Overseas Investment Office (OIO) for consent to purchase. The consent process is specifically streamlined for AIP visa holders, with decisions typically within five working days. Any Sales and Purchase Agreement must be conditional on receiving OIO consent. We can connect you with property lawyers experienced in overseas investment purchases.

  • Annual costs include: Tui Estate Owners Association levies (maintaining common land, trails, and infrastructure). The balance of your local council rates (property taxes), insurance, and utilities are paid to the local body. Detailed projections are provided during the purchase process.

  • Yes. Annual Tui Estate Owners Association levies cover maintenance of common land, walking trails, roading, and shared infrastructure. Detailed projections are available on request during the purchase process.

  • The Tui Estate Owners Association maintains all common land, infrastructure, roading, and services across the estate to exacting standards. All owners are members. Annual levies cover these costs and ensure the estate is maintained consistently regardless of how much time individual owners spend in residence.

  • All lots include: gravity-fed potable water from mountain stream, underground electricity, telephone, high-speed fibre broadband internet, and sealed gated private road access.

  • Absolutely, and we strongly encourage it. Site visits allow you to experience the location, assess the packages, and understand the lifestyle firsthand. We can arrange comprehensive property tours and connect you with local immigration consultants, financial advisers and lawyers during your visit.

  • Short-term rentals such as Airbnb are not permitted. Longer-term rentals simply require informing the owners’ association of the arrangement.

  • We are progressively releasing turn-key packages designed specifically for Golden Visa applicants. Currently, two packages (Lot 9 and Lot 12) are available. Additional packages will be released as architectural designs are completed and build permits secured. Register your interest to be notified of new releases. Of the sixteen total estates, four have already been secured by private owners.

  • All transactions are in New Zealand dollars (NZD). At current exchange rates, the packages are approximately USD $3M. We recommend consulting a foreign exchange specialist to manage currency conversion, and we can refer you to experienced advisers.

  • Darfield and Methven (30-45 minutes) offer primary schools and medical centers. Darfield High School (Year 7-13) serves the rural community. Christchurch (60 minutes) provides world-class hospitals, specialists, top secondary schools, international schools, and the University of Canterbury.

  • New Zealand consistently ranks among the world’s most stable democracies, with strong rule of law, low corruption, and transparent governance. The economy is developed and diversified, with strong ties to Asia-Pacific markets.