New Zealand’s Active Investor Plus Programme

Connecting Global Investors with New Zealand

New Zealand is increasingly positioning itself as a destination not simply for capital, but for investors who want a long-term connection with the country.

The Active Investor Plus (AIP) Visa provides a pathway for high-net-worth individuals and their families to establish residence in New Zealand while investing in the country's economy. Following significant changes to the programme, interest has accelerated: Immigration New Zealand reported in August 2026 that the refreshed programme attracted 637 applications representing approximately NZD 3.7 billion of potential investment in its first 12 months.

For international investors, however, understanding the programme is only the beginning. The bigger challenge is navigating the ecosystem surrounding it — immigration requirements, acceptable investments, investment managers, professional advisers, due diligence, banking, tax considerations and the practical realities of establishing a connection with New Zealand.

This is where Asia Ventures is positioning itself: as a New Zealand-based point of connection for international investors exploring the AIP opportunity.

Two routes for investors

The current AIP programme provides two principal pathways.

The Growth category requires at least NZD 5 million invested for three years. Acceptable investments can include direct investments, managed funds and a limited allocation to philanthropy. The Balanced category requires at least NZD 10 million invested for five years and provides a broader range of acceptable investments, including managed funds, direct investments, listed equities, bonds, philanthropy and qualifying property developments.

The programme also provides considerable flexibility for internationally mobile families. Successful applicants can live, work and study in New Zealand and include their partner and dependent children aged 24 or younger. The minimum physical-presence requirement is only 21 days over three years for Growth investors, while Balanced investors generally require 105 days over five years, with reductions available for additional Growth investments.

For investors receiving approval in principle, there is generally a six-month period in which to transfer and invest their nominated capital in New Zealand.

The investment decision matters

Obtaining residence is only one part of the decision.

An investor committing NZD 5 million or NZD 10 million naturally wants to understand where that capital can be invested, the risks involved, the people managing it and the opportunities available within the New Zealand economy.

Growth-category investments, for example, can include investments directly into New Zealand businesses and acceptable managed funds. Immigration New Zealand expressly notes that these can be higher-risk and relatively illiquid investments and that government acceptance of an investment for immigration purposes is not an endorsement or guarantee of its investment performance.

Investors therefore need access to the right expertise.

And that requires connections.

Asia Ventures: an on-the-ground connection to New Zealand

Asia Ventures is based in New Zealand and works within the international investment-migration ecosystem.

Our role is to help prospective investors understand the landscape, connect with key participants and navigate the journey into New Zealand.

Rather than attempting to replace immigration lawyers, licensed financial advisers, investment managers, tax specialists or other regulated professionals, Asia Ventures works to connect prospective investors with the appropriate specialists and industry participants when their expertise is required.

This network-based approach allows investors to start with a single conversation about what they are trying to achieve and then identify the people and organisations they may need to speak with.

For someone sitting in New York, Singapore, Hong Kong, London or elsewhere, that local connection can be valuable.

Intelligence as well as introductions

The AIP landscape is also evolving.

Investment opportunities change. New managed funds become acceptable. Businesses raise capital. Government policy develops. Immigration requirements are clarified. Investor activity provides new signals about where international capital is moving.

Asia Ventures therefore intends to provide an ongoing stream of AIP news, investment intelligence and programme analysis for prospective investors and professional advisers.

Recent developments illustrate why this matters. In August 2026, Immigration New Zealand announced further AIP changes addressing matters including evidence of lawful acquisition of funds, borrowed funds, gifted funds and requirements concerning managed-fund agreements.

For investors considering committing millions of dollars and potentially relocating their families, keeping abreast of these developments is important.

Our objective is to make that information easier to understand.

More than an immigration decision

For many international investors, New Zealand residence is part of a much broader discussion.

Where should the family live?

Where should children be educated?

Should part of an international portfolio be diversified into New Zealand?

What businesses and investment sectors are developing?

What are the tax implications?

How does an investor establish banking and professional relationships in New Zealand?

And, ultimately, is New Zealand somewhere the family wants to establish a long-term presence?

Those questions cannot all be answered by a visa application.

They require a network.

A gateway into the New Zealand investment ecosystem

Asia Ventures' role is therefore straightforward: to be a knowledgeable, independent and locally based first point of contact for international investors considering New Zealand.

We provide information and AIP intelligence, help investors understand the programme, and facilitate connections with established participants across the New Zealand investment and professional-services ecosystem.

Where specialist immigration, investment, legal or tax advice is required, investors can then be connected with appropriately qualified professionals.

We partner with the #1 agencies globally to achieve this.

It is to help international investors understand New Zealand as a place to invest, establish relationships, bring their families and potentially build a long-term future.

For investors considering the Active Investor Plus programme, Asia Ventures provides something particularly valuable at the beginning of that journey:

a connection on the ground in New Zealand.

Official programme information is available from Immigration New Zealand — Active Investor Plus Visa.