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Sell with us- Mark Harris
- 23rd Nov 2025
For years, international interest in NZ’s finest homes has remained strong but opportunity was limited to a select few. That door is finally beginning to open again.
Under soon-to-be enacted rules, qualified overseas investors holding an Active Investor Plus visa will be able to buy or build one home worth NZ $5 million or more. Some finer details are still being confirmed, including land-size limits, property types and consent requirements.
It’s a welcome and necessary adjustment, one I’ve long believed would re-energise the top end of our market without compromising local affordability. And while it affects fewer than one percent of homes, it has the potential to meaningfully lift confidence and attract new capital.
For homeowners in this tier, the message is clear: now is the time to prepare. The first wave of Active Investor Plus applicants are already putting their finances and investment plans in place, identifying the properties they want to secure once approvals are granted. Sellers who act early will be best positioned to meet that demand as it emerges.
We know the demand is real. We’re seeing increased international enquiries and a noticeable spike in offshore website traffic, as buyers research our regions and shortlist properties ahead of the official change. Our recent agent survey showed more than half of all luxury buyers are from offshore markets including Australia, Asia, North America and Europe. The signal is clear: NZ is back on the radar for high-net-worth investors.
This is an exciting moment for global investors and lifestyle seekers who have long been drawn to our country’s safety, natural beauty and exceptional quality of life. NZ offers some of the world’s most remarkable homes, from contemporary architecture that celebrates the landscape to timeless residences crafted from rare materials and set against extraordinary views.
At the same time, Australia has moved in the opposite direction, tightening access to established homes for foreign buyers. That contrast is drawing fresh attention here from those deciding where to invest, live or establish a second base.
To better understand the people behind this renewed interest, I spoke with Greener Pastures NZ, a firm that helps international clients navigate the visa process and identify investments that align with their lifestyle goals.
Mischa Mannix-Opie, Director of Client Experience, told me their clients are high-net-worth individuals and families seeking a “Plan B” life built around lifestyle, security and meaningful investment.
“They’re drawn to NZ for its natural beauty, stability and sense of community. In an increasingly uncertain world, it stands apart as a genuine safe haven,” she said.
Since the property-ownership rule change was announced, Greener Pastures has seen a surge in enquiries, particularly from the United States, followed by China, Hong Kong and other parts of Asia. “The clients we’re engaging with are deeply motivated and genuinely excited. They are looking for what we call lifestyle-plus – the opportunity to combine investment with genuine presence and connection.”
While not everyone moves immediately, that enthusiasm signals real momentum. She notes relocation at this level is rarely rushed; families consider schooling, logistics and timing before committing. Yet the ability to own or build a home here gives them an anchor – a reason to spend more time in New Zealand, to put down roots and contribute to local communities.
We’ve built deep experience in the $5 million-plus market and understand the level of discretion, preparation and global reach these properties require. Through our private-client channels and the Sotheby’s International Realty network of over 26,000 agents in 86 countries – including 706 offices across the US – we can quietly introduce properties to qualified offshore buyers well before they appear publicly. It’s the power of being local everywhere: targeted, discreet and effective.
As these buyers enter the market, competition will intensify for homes that capture NZ’s sense of place: architecture that embraces the landscape, craftsmanship that endures and views that defy replication. The opportunity is narrow, but meaningful.
If early enquiry levels are any indication, the coming year will mark a new chapter at the top end of our market, one defined by confidence, quality and renewed international interest. For those considering a sale, this is the moment to start the conversation.