Can foreigners buy property in New Zealand? The short answer is: most foreigners cannot buy residential property, but there are important exceptions, particularly for high-value investors and those pursuing residence pathways.

Understand New Zealand’s investor residency options in 2026, including business-led and capital-based visa pathways and how they fit long-term plans.

The immigration process itself has been significantly streamlined under the new visa settings, with clearer criteria, more flexible investment rules, and a broader scope of qualifying investments, including in listed equities, private capital markets, and direct business participation.