New Zealand Expands Active Investor Plus Growth Category to Include Build to Rent

The New Zealand Government has announced a further expansion of its Active Investor Plus Visa programme, with qualifying Build to Rent investments to become available under the NZ$5 million Growth category from December 2026.

The change provides international investors considering New Zealand residence with another potential investment option under the increasingly popular Growth pathway.

Under the new rules, Build to Rent investment will need to be made through managed funds approved by Invest New Zealand. Direct investment by an Active Investor Plus applicant into a Build to Rent development will not qualify under the new Growth provisions.

The minimum investment requirement for the Growth category remains NZ$5 million, with funds required to remain invested in qualifying New Zealand investments for a minimum period of three years.

Applicants and their family members will not be permitted to live in a Build to Rent development funded through their qualifying investment.

Strong International Demand for New Zealand Investor Residence

The announcement comes as New Zealand continues to experience strong international demand for its revised investor residence programme.

The Active Investor Plus programme was substantially refreshed in April 2025, introducing two principal investment pathways — Growth and Balanced.

According to the latest Immigration New Zealand figures, 904 applications have been received under the revised settings to 2 September 2026, with 772 applications selecting the Growth category and 132 selecting Balanced.

A total of 467 applications have already been approved.

Approximately NZ$4.935 billion has either been committed to New Zealand investments or is progressing through the investment pipeline.

The United States is currently the largest source of applications, followed by China and Hong Kong.

Another Step in the Evolution of New Zealand's Investor Visa

Mathew Collins, Managing Partner of New Zealand Life Investment Partners (NZLIP), says the latest announcement demonstrates the Government's continuing commitment to developing a competitive investor residence programme.

"The changes introduced since April 2025 have transformed New Zealand's investor residence proposition and the international response has been significant.

"Adding qualifying Build to Rent investment to the Growth category provides investors with another potential option while retaining the programme's focus on capital that contributes to New Zealand.

"For prospective investors, however, choosing an investment is only one part of what can become a complex international project.

"An Active Investor Plus applicant may need to coordinate Immigration New Zealand, Invest New Zealand, licensed immigration professionals, investment providers, banks, lawyers, accountants, tax specialists, foreign exchange providers and relocation professionals — often while continuing to manage their business, family and investments overseas.

"This is where having someone responsible for coordinating the overall journey can be particularly valuable."

Growth and Balanced Investment Pathways

New Zealand's Active Investor Plus Visa currently provides two principal pathways.

The Growth category requires a minimum investment of NZ$5 million in acceptable investments over a minimum three-year investment period.

The Balanced category requires a minimum investment of NZ$10 million over five years and allows a broader range of qualifying investment types.

The Growth category has proved particularly popular, accounting for more than 80 percent of applications received since the programme was revised.

About New Zealand Life Investment Partners

New Zealand Life Investment Partners (NZLIP) is a specialist Investor Project Management and Concierge Service supporting high-net-worth individuals and families considering New Zealand's Active Investor Plus programme.

NZLIP provides clients with a central point of coordination throughout their New Zealand journey, working alongside appropriately qualified and licensed immigration, investment, legal, accounting, banking, tax, property and relocation professionals.

Our philosophy is straightforward:

We Work for the Investor.

NZLIP does not provide immigration, legal, tax, financial or investment advice. Where regulated professional advice is required, we work alongside appropriately licensed professionals selected to meet the client's requirements.

For further information about New Zealand's Active Investor Plus programme or to arrange a confidential discussion about your New Zealand plans, visit:

www.nzlip.com

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Arrange a confidential discussion with New Zealand Life Investment Partners.