New Zealand Golden Visa Residency — The Active Investor Plus Programme
Tui Estate’s $5M+ turn-key packages in Canterbury’s Southern Alps foothills qualify for New Zealand’s Golden Visa programme, one of the world's most attractive residence-by-investment pathways.Understanding the Golden Visa
New Zealand’s Golden Visa, officially known as the Active Investor Plus (AIP) programme, offers high-net-worth individuals a clear and permanent pathway to New Zealand residency through qualifying investment. Two categories are available: the Growth Golden Visa, sometimes referred to as Active Investor 1, and the Balanced Golden Visa, sometimes referred to as Active Investor 2. Both deliver truly permanent New Zealand residency on completion, with no ongoing time requirements and no annual renewals.
Since its April 2025 overhaul, the programme has grown rapidly. 659 applications covering 2,155 people, with NZD $3.87 billion in committed and pipeline investment. 247 resident visas already granted. American investors lead demand, representing over 35% of all applications, followed by China and Hong Kong.
New Zealand’s appeal for Golden Visa investors goes well beyond residency. The country offers no capital gains tax, no gift tax, no estate tax, and no wealth tax, alongside a legal system rooted in English common law and consistently high rankings for political stability and transparency.
Two significant 2026 changes have made the pathway more accessible than ever. From 6 March 2026, AIP visa holders based overseas can now 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. From 1 June 2026, Growth Golden Visa applicants can direct up to 20% of their investment toward approved New Zealand philanthropic causes, including eligible charities and Department of Conservation projects.
659
Total Applications Received
Covering 2,155 people from over 30 countries. NZD $3.87 billion in committed and pipeline investment since April 2025.
234
United States
Applications
“Push factors in countries such as the US are motivating wealthy investors’ interest, while New Zealand’s stability and lifestyle draw them here.”
— Icehouse Ventures
247
Resident Visas Granted
“We are making our investor visa simpler and more flexible to incentivise investors to choose New Zealand as a destination.”
— Erica Stanford,
NZ Immigration Minister
Two Golden Visa Pathways
New Zealand’s Golden Visa programme offers two investment pathways. Both are part of the Active Investor Plus (AIP) programme and both deliver permanent New Zealand residency.
The Growth Golden Visa, also known as Active Investor 1, requires a minimum $5M NZD investment in higher-growth, active investment classes over three years, with a minimum of 21 days per year in New Zealand during the investment period.
The Balanced Golden Visa, also known as Active Investor 2, requires a minimum $10M NZD investment across a broader range of asset classes over five years, including managed funds, bonds, listed equities, philanthropy, and property development, with a minimum of 105 days per year in New Zealand during the investment period.
Tui Estate’s packages qualify under the Growth Golden Visa (Active Investor 1), with the $5M investment satisfied directly through your property purchase.
Two Golden Visa categories are available. This table outlines the key features.
Upon completion of investment period:
Time frames to invest from date of appoval:
Managed funds
Direct Investments
Acceptable Investment:
Growth Golden Visa
(Active Investor 1)
$5 million NZD*
6 months
6 months
36 months
21 days
* USD equivalents approx. $3M (Growth) and $6M (Balanced) at current exchange rates.
60 months
105 days
Balanced Golden Visa
(Active Investor 2)
$10 million NZD*
Permanent NZ residency
24 months & 36 months
24 months & 60 months
Permanent NZ residency
Investment retention requirements:
Time required in NZ during investment period:
Investment retention checkpoints:
Golden Visa Key Features:
Active Investor Plus ProgrammeMinimum Investment:
Managed funds
Direct Investments
Listed Equities
Philanthropy
Property Development
Bonds
Your journey to residency through the Growth Golden Visa (Active Investor 1)
Growth Golden Visa — Active Investor 1
Property & Immigration Consultation
Connect with Tui Estate and licensed immigration specialists to begin your Golden Visa journey.
Review Tui Estate’s available turn-key packages in the foothills of Canterbury’s Southern Alps
Engage a licensed NZ immigration consultant to assess your Active Investor Plus eligibility
Arrange a private site visit to experience the estate firsthand, or request a virtual walkthrough
Work with financial and legal advisers as required. We can refer you to trusted specialists experienced in Golden Visa and Active Investor Plus applications.
1.
Secure Your Investment
Invest $5M NZD into qualifying Growth Golden Visa (Active Investor 1) assets. Approval in Principle from Immigration New Zealand typically takes 35 working days.
Invest in Invest NZ pre-approved managed funds or approved direct investments
Transfer and invest funds within 6 months of approval
From 1 June 2026, up to 20% may go toward approved New Zealand philanthropic causes
Retain investment for 36 months
Spend a minimum of 21 days in New Zealand over the investment period
2.
Secure Your Luxury Canterbury Property
Your Tui Estate purchase satisfies the $5M Growth Golden Visa (Active Investor 1) requirement directly.
Execute a Sales and Purchase Agreement for your chosen Tui Estate package
Apply to the Overseas Investment Office (OIO) for consent to purchase. From 6 March 2026, AIP visa holders based overseas no longer need to establish residency first. Consent is typically granted within five working days
Submit your Golden Visa application through your immigration consultant
Commence construction of your residence in the foothills of the Southern Alps
3.
Residency & Beyond
Meet the AIP residency requirements during your investment period and permanent New Zealand residency is yours.
Spend a minimum of 21 days in New Zealand per year during the 36-month investment period
Enjoy your Tui Estate home and explore the Canterbury high country, the Southern Alps, and beyond
Upon completion of the investment period, residency is granted
No ongoing time requirements after residency is granted. No annual renewals. Truly permanent
4.
TimelineGrowth Golden Visa — Active Investor 1
→
Application
Investment
($5M NZD)
Property
($5M NZD)
21 days/year
NZ Residence
Permanent
Residency
→
→
→
Your journey to residency through the Balanced Visa
Balanced Golden Visa — Active Investor 2
Property & Immigration Consultation
Connect with Tui Estate and licensed immigration specialists to begin your Golden Visa journey.
Review available turn-key packages in the foothills of Canterbury’s Southern Alps
Engage a licensed NZ immigration consultant to assess your eligibility
Arrange a site visit or request a virtual walkthrough
We can refer you to trusted specialists experienced in Golden Visa and Active Investor Plus applications.
1.
Secure Your Investment
Diversify $10M NZD across approved Balanced Golden Visa asset classes.
Apply under the Balanced Golden Visa, also known as Active Investor 2 (minimum $10M NZD)
Receive Approval in Principle from Immigration New Zealand
Transfer and invest funds within 6 months of approval (extension available if required)
Invest across approved assets including managed funds, bonds, listed equities, philanthropy, and property development
Retain investment for 60 months
Spend a minimum of 105 days in New Zealand over the investment period (reduction may apply for additional qualifying investment)
2.
“After the investment period, residency becomes truly permanent with no annual or periodic stay requirements. Unlike in other countries, the golden carriage does not turn into a pumpkin.”
— Immigration lawyer
David Ryken
Residency & Beyond
Meet the AIP residency requirements during your investment period and permanent New Zealand residency is yours.
Spend a minimum of 105 days in New Zealand per year during the 60-month investment period
Enjoy your Tui Estate home and explore the Canterbury high country, the Southern Alps, and beyond
Upon completion of the investment period, residency is granted
No ongoing time requirements after residency is granted. No annual renewals. Truly permanent.
3.
TimelineBalanced Golden Visa — Active Investor 2
Application
→
Investment
($10M NZD)
105 days/year
NZ Residence
Permanent
Residency
→
Property
→
→
New Zealand Golden Visa Property in the Foothills of the Southern Alps
For buyers pursuing New Zealand residency through the Active Investor Plus programme, qualifying property options at the $5M threshold are genuinely limited. Nationally, there are around 142 listings above $10M, with approximately 100 concentrated in Auckland. Outside Auckland, qualifying new-build luxury properties are rare.
Tui Estate fills that gap in the South Island. Positioned in the foothills of the Southern Alps, one hour from Christchurch International Airport, it is one of very few Growth Golden Visa qualifying properties in Canterbury, and the only luxury lifestyle property in Canterbury of its kind. One hectare of freehold land, within 67 hectares of permanently protected high country farmland. Championship golf on the boundary. World-class salmon and trout fishing 15 minutes away. Mount Hutt skiing within the hour.
For buyers from the United States and Europe, Canterbury offers something Queenstown cannot: genuine space, quieter landscapes, and a lifestyle that does not compete with tourism. Christchurch's international airport, world-class schools, and hospitals are all within an hour.
Can an American buy property in New Zealand? Under the March 2026 rule changes, Active Investor Plus visa holders from any country, including the United States, can now purchase or build one residential property in New Zealand valued at $5M or more, without first living here. Tui Estate's packages are designed precisely for this pathway.
Two turn-key packages are available now, both fully consented and built by David Reid Homes on a fixed-price contract with Master Builder's Guarantee.
A note on naming: New Zealand’s Golden Visa programme is officially called the Active Investor Plus (AIP) programme. Within it, the Growth Golden Visa is sometimes referred to as Active Investor 1, and the Balanced Golden Visa as Active Investor 2. All names refer to the same programme.
Our Trusted Professional Network
We connect our clients with a curated network of leading advisers to ensure a seamless pathway to investment, property acquisition, and New Zealand residency. Should you require support in any of the areas below, please indicate this in your enquiry form.
Immigration Consultants
Licensed NZ immigration specialists
Golden Visa and Active Investor Plus application experts
Financial Advisers
Approved NZ financial advisory firms
Fund managers experienced with Golden Visa investments
Tax and structuring specialists
Property Lawyers
Overseas Investment Act consent specialists
High-value residential acquisition experts
Ownership structuring and asset protection advice
Comprehensive due diligence and contract negotiation
Settlement management and ongoing legal advisory support
Disclaimer: Tui Estate does not provide immigration advice. All information about New Zealand’s Golden Visa (Active Investor Plus) programme is general in nature, reflects publicly available information as at June 2026, and may not reflect current requirements or your specific circumstances. Please consult a licensed immigration adviser for advice relevant to your situation.