• New Zealand Regions
      • Hawke's Bay
      • Bay of Plenty
      • Waikato
      • Whanganui
      • Manawatu
      • Northland
      • Auckland
      • Gisborne
      • Taranaki
      • Wellington
      • West Coast
      • Nelson
      • Canterbury
      • Otago
      • Marlborough
      • Southland
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      Hawke's Bay

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      Beaches, wineries and Art Deco. The Hawke's Bay has a diverse economy, including business services that support its sectors to be the second largest contributor to regional GDP in the country. A popular tourist destination, the region has some of the countries best restaurants as well as stunning scenery, markets and festivals.

      Districts

      HastingsNapier

      Bay of Plenty

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      The Bay of Plenty is officially New Zealand's sunniest destination, enjoying short-lived winters and long summer days. The Region offers some of the country's most spectacular views and many ways to enjoy the pristine scenery and natural wonders. Visitors also enjoy exploring the Bay's Māori heritage and pre-European roots.

      Districts

      OpotikiOpotiki iSiteKawerauWhakatane

      Waikato

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      The Waikato is known for its rolling plains, fertile land and the mighty Waikato River. The region is the fourth largest regional economy in New Zealand, with a strong focus on primary production and associated manufacturing.

      Districts

      South WaikatoWaikato District

      Whanganui

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      Welcome to Whanganui. This is our place; where history is full of stories, legends and rich legacy. Where a thriving arts scene, creativity and evolving culture inspire our modern lives. Where breath-taking natural landscapes capture imaginations at every turn.

      Manawatu

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      Located in the lower North Island, Manawatu is heartland New Zealand, offering an authentic Kiwi experience.

      The main in the region are Palmerston North, most notable for Massey University. Palmerston has a vibrant, arts and culture scene.

      The region's economy is based on food production and processing, research and education. The region is also home for the New Zealand defence force.

      Northland

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      Northland was originally home to some of our country's first human inhabitants. Today, it is one of the fastest growing regions in New Zealand and home to nearly 189,000 people. Rich in culture and history, the region boasts a stunning natural environment.

      Auckland

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      Auckland Region stretches from the the beaches of the Pacific Ocean in the east to the expansive beaches of the rugged west coast of the Tasman Sea. Auckland City, the largest urban area in New Zealand is considered the main economic center of New Zealand and a popular destination for international students and travellers.

      Gisborne

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      Gisborne is a Region on the east coast of New Zealand's North Island. It's known for wineries and surf beaches such as Makorori. The region has maintained a strong Maori heritage. The region's economy is made up mainly of agriculture, horticulture and forestry.

      Taranaki

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      Taranaki is a coastal and mountainous region on the western side of New Zealand's North Island. Its landscape is dominated by Mount Taranaki, its namesake volcano, which lies within the rainforested Egmont National Park.

      The port city of New Plymouth is the area's cultural and commercial hub. Taranaki's economy is diverse and includes dairy, oil and gas. The region is the highest contributor or national GDP per capita. 

      Wellington

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      The Wellington Region covers Wellington city in the south, Upper and Lower Hutt valleys to the north-east, and Porirua to the north-west. The region takes its name from Wellington, New Zealand's capital city.

      Wellington is famous for its arts and culture scene and is also the centre of New Zealand's film industry.

      West Coast

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      The West Coast, or as some locals call it, the "Wild West", is a long thin region that runs down the South Island's west coast.

      The region has the lowest population in all of New Zealand. It is famous for its rugged natural scenery such as the Pancake Rocks, the Blue Pools of Haast, and the glaciers.

      The main industries in the region are dairy farming and mining. Tourism also plays an important role.

      Nelson – Tasman

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      Nelson Tasman is an extraordinary, vibrant region where art and businesses thrive together among a stunning natural landscape. With one in five people internationally born, Nelson Tasman has 48 different cultures living in its environs.

      The region prides its self on being New Zealand’s leading Research and Development areas, with the highest proportion of people working in the research, science and tech sectors out of anywhere in New Zealand.

      Canterbury

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      Canterbury is a region on New Zealand’s South Island marked by grassy plains, clear lakes and snow-capped mountains. Its largest city, Christchurch, is famed for its art scene and green spaces.

      Otago

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      There are few places in the world which will leave you with a lasting sense of difference. Central Otago is undoubtedly one of them from its landscapes, its seasons, its people, its products and experiences.

      Marlborough

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      Marlborough Region is on the north-eastern corner of the South Island. The region is well known for its winemaking industry, and the Marlborough Sounds, an extensive network of coastal waterways, peninsulas and islands.

      Apart from the wine industry, aquaculture, agriculture and tourism play an important role in the local economy.

      Southland

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      Southland is New Zealand’s most southerly region and includes the World Heritage ranked Fiordland National Park.

      The region's only city Invercargill offers a relaxed pace of life with wide streets, little traffic, spacious parks and gardens, striking Victorian and Edwardian architecture and impressive sporting facilities including New Zealand’s first indoor velodrome. Southland's location is such that views of Aurora Australis or the Southern Lights are common.

      Tooltip

Business to Residency

The two most commonly used categories of business-related residency applications are the Skilled Migrant and Business Migrant categories.


(a) Skilled Migrant The Skilled Migrant category is designed to ensure that people migrating to New Zealand have the skills the country needs. This category works on a points system – applicants will be invited to apply for residency only if they have 160 points or more. Points are earned on the basis of qualifications, work experience, age, or job offers in New Zealand. Applicants must also satisfy health and character requirements, be English-language proficient, and be aged 55 years or under. To gather enough points, it is generally critical to have a skilled job offer.


(b) Business Migrant There are several different ways in which a Business Migrant may apply for residency in New Zealand. The most common ways are to apply under the Entrepreneur Resident category or the Investor category.

 

(I) Entrepreneurs

There are two sub-categories of Entrepreneur Resident visa: two years and six months.

Under the Entrepreneur Resident visa (two years) category, applicants must establish or purchase a business that benefits New Zealand significantly and be “self-employed” in that business for at least two years. Applicants do not need to hold a Long Term Business visa or an Entrepreneur Work visa to apply for residency under this sub-category.

An Entrepreneur Resident visa (six months) category has been introduced that offers a faster path to residence for applicants who (among other things) create at least three full time jobs and invest NZ$500,000 in their business. This capital requirement can be waived in some circumstances. This category requires that the business has been operating for at least six months and that the applicant has been self-employed in that business for six months and is still self-employed in that business. Applicants need to hold a Long Term Business visa or Entrepreneur Work visa to apply under this sub-category.

Applicants for the Entrepreneur Resident visa must satisfy health and character requirements and have the required English language skills.

 

(II) Investors

There are two sub-categories under the Investor category: Investor 1 and Investor 2.

Under the Investor 1 category, the applicant must invest NZ$10 million in New Zealand over a three-year period. The applicant must also spend 44 days in each of the last two years of its three-year investment period in New Zealand, or 88 days at any time over the three-year investment period if it has invested NZ$2.5 million in growth investments.

There are health and character requirements, but no requirements as to age, business experience, or English language proficiency.

Under the Investor 2 category, the applicant must invest NZ$3 million in New Zealand for four years. The applicant must meet health and character requirements, be under 66 years of age, have at least three years of recognised business experience, and have the required English language skills.

The applicant must also spend 146 days per year in New Zealand, or 438 days at any time over the four-year investment period if it has invested at least NZ$750,000 in growth investments.

For each of the Investor 1 and Investor 2 categories, the applicant has 12 months following the approval of its application to transfer their nominated investment funds and invest them in an acceptable investment in New Zealand, though this timeframe can be extended.

The above is a general summary only of the current immigration categories. The immigration categories can and do change. We recommend that anyone who seeks to live or work in New Zealand should start by reading the relevant guides and forms available on the Immigration New Zealand’s website (www.immigration.govt.nz), and should seek expert advice before embarking on the application process.

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