The small print in New Zealand property access for Active Investor Plus visa holders

Premium property access stays narrow

New Zealand now lets holders of certain investor visas buy or build a residential or lifestyle property worth more than NZ$5 million under changes to the Overseas Investment Act. The rule applies to people on the Active Investor Plus, Investor 1 and Investor 2 visas, while the country’s general foreign buyer ban stays in place.

The change took effect March 6, 2026, after receiving Royal Assent on Dec. 19, 2025. Applications go through the Overseas Investment Office, which typically decides consent requests in five working days.

Who the rule reaches

The update matters most for high-net-worth expats and investor visa holders who want a premium home in New Zealand without full residency-style access to the housing market. Buyers can purchase one existing home or build on land, as long as the total land and build value clears the NZ$5 million threshold and the property is listed as residential or lifestyle on the District Valuation Roll.

Digital nomads and tourists on temporary visas still can’t buy. Australians and Singaporeans remain exempt from most residential purchase limits and properties that are otherwise sensitive, such as some coastal or farmland holdings, still face extra scrutiny.

What buyers need to do next

Anyone using this pathway needs Overseas Investment Office consent before signing off on a deal. Fees are NZ$2,040 for an existing home and NZ$3,500 for a new build and pre-approval can be valid for one year.

Applicants still face character, health and risk checks and the purchase can’t run against national interests. After settlement, buyers must file the required reports and violations can bring penalties of up to NZ$300,000.

Read our full New Zealand guide for the complete picture and see the latest visa updates.