06 Oct 2026
2 weeks ago
383 views
The Queenstown Cable Car project by Southern Infrastructure Limited has secured an initial $265 million private lending agreement with Private Capital Group, funded partly through the Government’s Active Investor Plus visa program. This cable car aims to connect key areas in Queenstown, providing a rapid public transport solution to alleviate road congestion amid the region’s rapid growth. The project exemplifies the government’s strategy to attract international investment for infrastructure development, leveraging private capital and innovative funding to address New Zealand’s infrastructure challenges.
08 Sep 2026
1 month ago
488 views
From December 2026, investor migrants in New Zealand’s Active Investor Plus Growth category can invest in approved managed funds supporting Build to Rent developments, with a minimum investment of NZD $5 million. This initiative aims to attract experienced investors to boost business growth, innovation, and the supply of long-term rental housing, while ensuring managed funds provide safeguards for investment and development. Direct investment in Build to Rent is not permitted, and investors and their families cannot live in these funded developments.
04 Sep 2026
1 month ago
648 views
New Zealand’s international education export earnings have nearly reached $5 billion in the year to June 2026, surpassing pre-Covid levels and significantly boosting the economy. Despite having fewer international students than in 2019, the sector has achieved strong growth through increased value per student and rising enrolments, particularly in universities and schools. The government aims to sustain this momentum by supporting education providers, maintaining competitive immigration settings, and promoting New Zealand globally to reach 105,000 student enrolments by 2027 and $7.2 billion in export earnings by 2034.
08 Aug 2026
2 months ago
701 views
New Zealand is changing the Parent Resident Visa selection process to a hybrid model where 90% of expressions of interest (EOIs) are selected chronologically and 10% by ballot, aiming to provide a fairer and more predictable system for families. The new model removes the requirement to reapply and pay fees every two years, allowing EOIs to remain active if updated, and will take effect with the first selection on 10 November 2026. These changes prioritize applicants who have been waiting longest while maintaining a balanced allocation of the 2,500 annual visa places, improving certainty without eliminating waiting times.
28 Jul 2026
2 months ago
690 views
The Government is modernising the Recognised Seasonal Employer (RSE) scheme to simplify its use, enhance worker protections, and maintain opportunities for New Zealanders and Pacific workers. Key reforms include a graduated accreditation system for employers, clearer rules on recoverable costs, improved flexibility for worker movement between employers, and updated accommodation and pastoral care standards. These staged changes, starting in 2027, aim to sustain the scheme’s success in supporting New Zealand’s horticulture and viticulture sectors while strengthening partnerships with Pacific communities.
25 Jun 2026
4 months ago
906 views
A 12-month visa waiver trial launched in November 2025 allowing eligible Chinese and Pacific visitors traveling from Australia to use a simpler, faster, and cheaper New Zealand electronic Travel Authority (NZeTA) has generated $215 million for New Zealand’s economy in six months. The trial has led to a 40% increase in Chinese visitor arrivals, filling hotels and businesses, and supporting jobs, with over 80,000 travelers arriving via this new pathway. Decisions on the trial’s future will follow a full evaluation after the 12-month period, while eligible travelers continue to benefit from the streamlined NZeTA process.
24 Jun 2026
4 months ago
818 views
The New Zealand Government has made the Community Organisation Refugee Sponsorship (CORS) programme a permanent part of its refugee resettlement system, starting 1 July with an initial 50 places and scaling to 200 places annually by 2027. CORS complements the existing Refugee Quota Programme by combining government-funded core services with community-led settlement support, fostering strong employment, housing, education, and social outcomes for refugees. The overall refugee intake remains at 1,500 annually, with CORS places allocated from within existing baselines to ensure a sustainable, effective resettlement approach.
28 May 2026
4 months ago
1026 views
Budget 2026 allocates $18 million over four years to establish three new frontline teams within New Zealand’s immigration and labour enforcement agencies to better address migrant exploitation, immigration non-compliance, and serious offending. This investment aims to reduce case backlogs, increase enforcement actions, and prioritize high-risk cases by expanding capacity for investigations, compliance checks, and labour inspections. The Government also plans to strengthen legal penalties for migrant exploitation and improve deportation and compliance measures to enhance public trust and system effectiveness.
25 May 2026
5 months ago
1265 views
From 1 June 2026, minimum English language requirements (IELTS 4.0 or equivalent) will extend to skill level 3 roles under New Zealand's Accredited Employer Work Visa (AEWV), aligning them with skill levels 4 and 5. This change aims to ensure workers have basic English for effective communication, understanding their rights, and community engagement, especially as many mid-skilled workers seek residence pathways requiring higher English proficiency within five years. Transitional arrangements exempt current AEWV holders with visas expiring on or before 1 December 2026, and certain visa categories like Global Workforce Seasonal Visa are not affected by this new requirement.
25 May 2026
5 months ago
1054 views
From 1 June 2026, investor migrants applying under New Zealand’s Active Investor Plus Growth category can allocate up to 20% of their NZD $5 million investment to philanthropic gifts supporting eligible charities or conservation initiatives. This change adds flexibility to the Growth category, which focuses on business growth and innovation, by allowing contributions to social, environmental, and cultural causes while maintaining strong economic outcomes. Eligibility criteria for recipient charities will be strengthened to ensure gifts benefit New Zealand communities and do not personally benefit applicants.
25 May 2026
5 months ago
1128 views
From 1 June 2026, investor migrants applying under New Zealand’s Active Investor Plus Growth category can allocate up to 20% of their NZD $5 million investment to philanthropic gifts supporting eligible charities or conservation initiatives. This change adds flexibility to the Growth category, which focuses on business growth and innovation, by allowing contributions to social, environmental, or cultural causes while maintaining strong economic outcomes. Eligible charities must meet strict criteria, including operating for at least five years and ensuring gifts benefit New Zealand without personally benefiting the applicant.
07 May 2026
5 months ago
1079 views
The Government is introducing the Overseas Adoptions Legislation Bill to permanently close loopholes that previously allowed unsafe overseas adoptions into New Zealand, replacing last year’s temporary measures. The Bill clarifies recognition of overseas adoptions, citizenship pathways, and immigration processes, ensuring child safety through stricter safeguards and two main pathways for citizenship under the Hague Convention or New Zealand Family Court. It will be reviewed by the Justice Select Committee for public input, with the aim to pass before the current temporary laws expire in July 2027.
18 Mar 2026
7 months ago
1217 views
The Government is introducing the Immigration (Enhanced Risk Management) Amendment Bill to strengthen New Zealand’s immigration system by improving tools to manage risks, including extending deportation liability for serious criminals from ten to twenty years. The Bill and accompanying Parliamentary paper propose changes to better handle asylum claims, such as considering serious crimes committed after arrival in refugee status determinations and addressing bad faith claims to maintain system integrity. These measures aim to balance attracting skilled migrants and protecting genuine refugees while ensuring consequences for those who abuse the system, with the Bill expected to begin parliamentary readings soon.
12 Mar 2026
7 months ago
1417 views
Foreign Minister Winston Peters and Immigration Minister Erica Stanford announced a reduction in visitor visa fees for Pacific nationals, lowering the cost from $216 to $161 for a 12-month visa starting 1 June, to promote easier and more affordable travel to New Zealand. This update complements previous improvements such as extended visa durations to two years with multiple entries, faster processing, and a visa-free trial for Pacific travelers from Australia, aiming to strengthen Pacific-New Zealand connections. The government will review the impact of these changes in a year, with further eligibility details to be confirmed soon.
19 Feb 2026
8 months ago
1464 views
A new visa-free travel option via the New Zealand electronic Travel Authority (NZeTA) for eligible Chinese and Pacific visitors arriving from Australia has significantly increased tourism, with visits nearly tripling to 36,800 and generating an estimated $210 million in economic benefits. This streamlined process reduces costs and wait times compared to traditional visas, prompting 85% of Chinese and 82% of Pacific travelers to visit specifically because of the change. The influx of visitors is boosting local businesses, especially in key tourism regions like the South Island, aligning with the government’s goal to support Kiwi businesses and regional growth.