Active Investor Plus Visa: Growth Category Investors Can Now Include Philanthropy

From 1 June 2026, investors applying under the Growth category of New Zealand's Active Investor Plus Visa can allocate up to 20 percent of their total investment to qualifying philanthropic contributions — opening a meaningful new dimension to the New Zealand residency by investment journey.

What Has Changed?

Effective 1 June 2026, the New Zealand Government has expanded the scope of acceptable investments under the Active Investor Plus (AIP) Visa Growth category to include philanthropy, subject to specific eligibility requirements.

Growth category applicants can now direct up to 20 percent of their total required investment — that is, up to NZD $1 million of the NZD $5 million minimum — toward qualifying philanthropic contributions to approved New Zealand charities or Department of Conservation (DOC) projects.

New eligibility requirements for philanthropic investments have also been introduced, and these apply to both the Growth category and the Balanced category, which already permitted a portion of investment in philanthropy.

This change reflects the New Zealand Government's recognition that high-net-worth investors are not purely motivated by financial returns — and that meaningful contributions to New Zealand communities, conservation, and civil society are a legitimate and valued component of the investor migration programme.

What Qualifies as an Acceptable Philanthropic Investment?

Not all charitable giving will qualify. The Immigration Instructions specify that philanthropic investments must meet defined criteria to be acceptable under the AIP programme.

• Donations must be made to New Zealand registered charities that have at least five years of compliant annual financial returns on record with Charities Services. Donations can also be made to approved Department of Conservation projects as specified on the DOC website.
• Conflict of interest requirements: Applicants must declare any existing links to the charities they intend to support. Applications will likely be declined where conflicts of interest exist — for example, where an investor has a governance role, significant influence, or a personal financial relationship with the recipient charity.
• Balanced category investors: Balanced category applicants can continue to invest any portion of their total investment in philanthropy, provided the contribution meets the new eligibility requirements now in place from 1 June 2026.

It is important to note that the eligibility of philanthropic donations under the AIP programme is not assessed or managed by Invest New Zealand. Investors should seek guidance from their immigration adviser and legal counsel to confirm whether a proposed charitable contribution meets the criteria set out in the Immigration Instructions.

Why This Change Matters for Investors

For many high-net-worth investors and families, the opportunity to contribute meaningfully to the communities and causes they care about is an integral part of their decision-making process when selecting a residency destination. New Zealand's addition of philanthropy to the Growth category recognises this reality.

In practical terms, the change means that a Growth category investor committing NZD $5 million can structure their investment so that NZD $4 million is deployed into approved managed funds or direct business investments, with the remaining NZD $1 million directed toward a qualifying New Zealand charity or conservation project that reflects their values.

For investors who are passionate about environmental conservation, education, health, arts, or community development in New Zealand, this creates a genuinely integrated pathway — one that combines financial investment in New Zealand's economy with a tangible contribution to its social fabric.

This also adds a compelling dimension to the overall narrative of New Zealand residency by investment. Investors are not simply placing capital — they are actively contributing to the country in which they intend to build their future.

Practical Considerations for Investors

• Plan early. Identifying a qualifying charity with at least five years of compliant returns, conducting appropriate due diligence, and ensuring no conflict of interest exists all take time. Philanthropic investments should be planned as part of the overall investment strategy from the outset, not added as an afterthought.
• Seek specialist advice. The philanthropic eligibility criteria under the AIP programme are specific. Immigration advisers, legal counsel, and philanthropy advisers familiar with the NZ charitable sector should all be engaged before making any commitment.
• Document everything. As with all AIP investments, rigorous documentation of the philanthropic contribution will be required as part of the application and ongoing compliance process.
• Declare all relationships. Any existing connection to the charitable organisation — however minor it may seem — must be disclosed. Undisclosed conflicts of interest are a significant application risk.

How NZLIP Can Help

Incorporating philanthropy into an Active Investor Plus investment strategy introduces an additional layer of coordination alongside the primary investment, immigration, legal, banking, and relocation requirements. For investors managing this process from overseas, the complexity can be considerable.

New Zealand Life Investment Partners (NZLIP) provides independent project management and concierge services for AIP visa investors, coordinating every element of the journey — including philanthropic investment planning — through a single point of contact.

Our role is to understand your objectives, connect you with the right specialist advisers, manage the coordination process on your behalf, and ensure that every aspect of your investment and residency journey proceeds professionally and on schedule.

We work exclusively for you. We do not promote a specific fund, charity, or investment product. Our only interest is ensuring your journey to New Zealand residency is managed with the highest standard of care.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can Active Investor Plus Growth category investors now include philanthropy in their investment?
Yes. From 1 June 2026, Growth category AIP visa applicants can allocate up to 20 percent of their total investment — up to NZD $1 million of the NZD $5 million minimum — toward qualifying philanthropic contributions to approved New Zealand charities or DOC projects.

What percentage of the Growth category investment can go toward philanthropy?
Up to 20 percent of the total Growth category investment can be directed toward qualifying philanthropy. For the NZD $5 million minimum investment, this means up to NZD $1 million can be philanthropic.

Does the June 2026 philanthropy change affect Balanced category investors too?
Yes. While Balanced category investors could already include philanthropy, the new eligibility requirements introduced from 1 June 2026 apply to both Growth and Balanced category philanthropic investments.

What charities qualify for AIP philanthropic investment?
Qualifying charities must be registered New Zealand charities with at least five years of compliant annual financial returns. Donations can also be made to approved Department of Conservation projects listed on the DOC website.

Can I donate to a charity I am already involved with as an AIP philanthropic investment?
No. Applicants must declare any existing links to recipient charities, and applications will likely be declined where conflicts of interest exist. All relationships with proposed recipient organisations must be disclosed.

Who assesses whether a philanthropic investment qualifies under the AIP programme?
Invest New Zealand does not assess philanthropic investment eligibility. The criteria are set out in the Immigration Instructions and assessed by Immigration New Zealand. Specialist immigration and legal advice is essential before committing to a philanthropic investment.

How does NZLIP help investors incorporate philanthropy into their AIP investment strategy?
NZLIP coordinates all aspects of the AIP visa journey, including philanthropic investment planning. We connect investors with specialist advisers, manage the coordination process, and ensure all documentation and compliance requirements are handled professionally from start to finish.

Is philanthropic investment in New Zealand a good reason to choose the Growth category over Balanced?
That depends entirely on your investment objectives, financial circumstances, and values. NZLIP can help you understand the implications of each category as part of an initial confidential consultation — we do not recommend one pathway over another without first understanding your individual situation.

Arrange a Confidential Consultation

If you are exploring New Zealand residency through the Active Investor Plus Visa and would like to understand how the June 2026 philanthropy changes might apply to your investment strategy, NZLIP invites you to arrange a confidential consultation.

Our team provides independent, conflict-free guidance and fully managed project coordination for investors and families navigating the Active Investor Plus programme.

About New Zealand Life Investment Partners

New Zealand Life Investment Partners (NZLIP) is a specialist Business and Investor Migration consultancy providing independent project management and concierge services for high-net-worth individuals and families pursuing New Zealand residency through the Active Investor Plus Visa programme. Unlike immigration advisers, law firms, or managed fund providers, NZLIP works exclusively for the investor — coordinating every stage of the investment, residency, and relocation journey through a single, trusted point of contact.

NZLIP is a business unit of DxM Consulting. Learn more at www.nzlip.com.

Ready to Explore Your Options?

Arrange a confidential discussion with New Zealand Life Investment Partners.