New Zealand immigration – what trends are we currently seeing?
Immediately, after the Covid-19 lockdown, New Zealand employers needed to keep their migrant workers. This was due to the shortage of skilled workers and the inability of New Zealanders offshore to return. When the border finally did reopen, all those wishing to come to New Zealand were required to apply for limited spots spot under the Managed Isolation and Quarantine system. Therefore, employers continued to struggle to find suitably qualified staff.
Since then, the economic situation in New Zealand has unfortunately taken a downturn. This has contributed to a decrease in the current number of overseas applicants applying for temporary and resident visas under New Zealand’s employment-based visa categories.
However, whilst many employers are not currently looking to recruit overseas applicants, many young New Zealanders are leaving for countries such as Australia and the United Kingdom. 30,000 New Zealanders left for Australia in 2024 alone. Therefore, our opinion is that, as economic conditions improve, New Zealand employers are likely to again face shortages of skilled workers and look to recruit from overseas.
One of New Zealand’s residence categories is going against this trend. That is New Zealand’s investment product, often referred to as a “Golden Visa”. The Active Investor Plus (AIP) category grants residence to people through their investment in various financial products. Acceptable investments are those which provide an economic benefit to this country and create employment opportunities.
Changes were introduced by the current Government, effective from 1 April 2025. These changes have seen a significant increase in the number of overseas enquiries and the number of applications submitted to Immigration New Zealand (INZ).
Information on INZ’s website shows that, between September 2022 and 31 March 2025 under the previous settings, INZ received 115 applications. As of 20 July 2025, INZ had received 236 applications under the new AIP settings. These applications amount to a potential total investment, into the New Zealand economy, of $1,430 billion. This level of investment can only be of benefit to New Zealand businesses and the wider economy.
Whilst the interest in the AIP and the funds which will be invested will benefit New Zealand, a concern is that there will be insufficient skilled workers to take up roles within the new or expanded businesses or to undertake the funded projects. Another risk is that New Zealand may not have enough startups and businesses to soak up the capital invested.
We anticipate that the number of applications under this category will plateau. However, the world’s economic and geopolitical volatility may continue to encourage people to look to New Zealand as a safe haven. Therefore, it may be a matter of both time and New Zealand ensuring a sufficient skilled workforce, before we see the final beneficial outcome of this policy.
Special thanks to Partner Nicola Tiffen and Special Counsel Nicky Robertson for preparing this article.
If you have any questions, please contact a member of Duncan Cotterill’s immigration team.
Disclaimer: The content of this article is general in nature and not intended as a substitute for specific professional advice on any matter and should not be relied upon for that purpose.
