The Overseas Investment (National Interest Test and Other Matters) Amendment Act came into effect on Friday 6 March 2026. This tool will be updated to reflect the changes soon. In the meantime please view the Reform of the Overseas Investment Act page for the most up-to-date information and if you have any queries contact us.

Homebuyer eligibility tool

In general, only residents and citizens can buy homes in New Zealand to live in. But there are other investment opportunities. Use this tool to understand who is able to buy and who needs to apply for consent.

Have you been in New Zealand for at least 12 months and spent at least 183 days of the past 12 months here?

If so you would be considered ordinarily resident in New Zealand.

You’re able to buy property in New Zealand

The overseas investment rules do not apply to you.

Find out more about buying property in New Zealand

You’re able to buy property in New Zealand

As you hold a residence class visa and you live in New Zealand, you are able to buy property here without having to apply to the Overseas Investment Office for consent.

Find out more about buying property in New Zealand

You may be able to buy a home in New Zealand to live in

To be able to buy a home to live in, you need to apply to the Overseas Investment Office for consent, commit to live in New Zealand for at least 183 days in the following year, and be a tax resident.

Find out more and apply

Alternatively, if you wait until you are ordinarily resident (have been here for 183 days or more in the past 12 months and have been living in New Zealand for at least the 12 months prior before you buy), then you will be able to buy property here without having to apply to the Overseas Investment Office for consent. 

You’re able to buy residential property in New Zealand

As an Australian citizen, you do not need to apply to the Overseas Investment Office. Australian citizens and permanent residents are issued a New Zealand resident visa on arrival at the border.

You do need to check the land isn't classified as sensitive for another reason. If it is, you will need to apply for consent. 

You’re able to buy residential property in New Zealand

As a Singaporean national you do not need to apply to the Overseas Investment Office. 

You do need to check the land isn't classified as sensitive for another reason. If it is, you will need to apply for consent.

You’re able to buy residential property in New Zealand

As an Australian permanent resident living in New Zealand, you do not need to apply to the Overseas Investment Office.  Australian citizens and permanent residents are issued a New Zealand resident visa on arrival at the border.

You do need to check the land isn't classified as sensitive for another reason.  If it is, you will need to apply for consent.

You may be able to buy a home in New Zealand to live in

To be able to buy a home to live in, you need to apply to the Overseas Investment Office for consent, commit to live in New Zealand for at least 183 days in the following year, and be a tax resident.

Australian citizens and permanent residents are issued a New Zealand resident visa on arrival at the border.

Find out more and apply

Alternatively, if you wait until you are ordinarily resident (have been here for 183 days or more in the past 12 months and have been living in New Zealand for at least the 12 months prior before you buy), then you do not need to apply for consent. 

You do need to check the land is not classified as sensitive for another reason. If it is, you will need to apply for consent.

How to tell if the land is sensitive?

You’re able to buy residential property in New Zealand

As a Singaporean permanent resident living in New Zealand, you do not need to apply to the Overseas Investment Office. 

You do need to check the land isn't classified as sensitive for another reason. If it is, you will need to apply for consent.​

You may be able to buy a home in New Zealand to live in

To be able to buy  a home to live in, you need to apply to the Overseas Investment Office for consent, commit to live in New Zealand for at least 183 days in the following year, and be a tax resident.

Find out more and apply 

Alternatively, if you wait until you are ordinarily resident (have been here for 183 days or more in the past 12 months and have been living in New Zealand for at least the 12 months prior before you buy), then you do not need to apply for consent. 

You do need to check the land isn't classified as sensitive for another reason. If it is, you will need to apply for consent.

How to tell if the land is sensitive?

You are not able to buy a home in New Zealand to live in

To be eligible to buy a home to live in, you need to hold a residence class visa and meet other criteria.

If you are looking for a place to live while you are in New Zealand, you can rent a property.

Find out more about renting a property

You may be able to buy

You must apply to the Overseas Investment Office for consent to buy residential land that you want to build more houses on.

Find out more and apply.

Alternatively, if you wait until you are ordinarily resident (have been here for 183 days or more in the past 12 months and have been living in New Zealand for at least the 12 months prior before you buy), then you can buy property here without having to apply to the Overseas Investment Office for consent.

You’re able to buy residential property in New Zealand

As an Australian citizen, you do not need to apply to the Overseas Investment Office. Australian citizens and permanent residents are issued a New Zealand resident visa on arrival at the border.

You do need to check the land isn't classified as sensitive for another reason.

You’re able to buy residential property in New Zealand

As a Singaporean national you do not need to apply to the Overseas Investment Office.  You do need to check the land isn't classified as sensitive for another reason.

You’re able to buy residential property in New Zealand

As an Australian permanent resident living in New Zealand, you do not need to apply to the Overseas Investment Office.  You do need to check the land isn't classified as sensitive for another reason.

Australian citizens and permanent residents are issued a New Zealand resident visa on arrival at the border.

You may be able to buy

You must apply to the Overseas Investment Office for consent to buy residential land that you want to build more houses on.

Alternatively, if you wait until you are ordinarily resident (have been here for 183 days or more in the past 12 months and have been living in New Zealand for at least the 12 months prior before you buy), then you do not need to apply for consent. 

You do need to check the land isn't classified as sensitive for another reason.

You’re able to buy residential property in New Zealand

As a Singaporean permanent resident living in New Zealand, you do not need to apply to the Overseas Investment Office.  You do need to check the land isn't classified as sensitive for another reason.

You may be able to buy

You must apply to the Overseas Investment Office for consent to buy residential land that you want to build more houses on.

Alternatively, if you wait until you are ordinarily resident (have been here for 183 days or more in the past 12 months and have been living in New Zealand for at least the 12 months prior before you buy), then you do not need to apply for consent. 

You do need to check the land isn't classified as sensitive for another reason.

You may be able to buy

You must apply to the Overseas Investment Office for consent to buy residential land that you want to build more houses on.

Find out more and apply

You’re able to buy property in New Zealand

As you hold a residence class visa and you live in New Zealand, you are able to buy property here freely without restriction.

Find out more about buying property in New Zealand

You’re able to buy

You are able to buy a hotel room, but you cannot use it for more than 30 days a year.

Find out more 

Alternatively, if you wait until you are ordinarily resident (have been here for 183 days or more in the past 12 months and have been living in New Zealand for at least the 12 months prior before you buy), then you will be able to buy property in New Zealand freely without restriction.

Find out more about buying property in New Zealand

You’re able to buy residential property in New Zealand

As an Australian citizen, you do not need to apply to the Overseas Investment Office.  Australian citizens and permanent residents are issued a New Zealand resident visa on arrival at the border.

You do need to check the land isn't classified as sensitive for another reason.

You’re able to buy residential property in New Zealand

As a Singaporean national you do not need to apply to the Overseas Investment Office.  You do need to check the land isn't classified as sensitive for another reason.

You’re able to buy residential property in New Zealand

As an Australian permanent resident living in New Zealand, you do not need to apply to the Overseas Investment Office. Australian citizens and permanent residents are issued a New Zealand resident visa on arrival at the border.

You do need to check the land isn't classified as sensitive for another reason.

You’re able to buy

You are able to buy a hotel room, but you cannot use it for more than 30 days a year.

Find out more

Alternatively, if you wait until you are ordinarily resident (have been here for 183 days or more in the past 12 months and have been living in New Zealand for at least the 12 months prior before you buy), then you will be able to buy without applying to the Overseas Investment Office.

You do need to check the land isn't classified as sensitive for another reason.

You’re able to buy residential property in New Zealand

As a Singaporean permanent resident living in New Zealand, you do not need to apply to the Overseas Investment Office. You do need to check the land isn't classified as sensitive for another reason.

You’re able to buy

You are able to buy a hotel room, but you cannot use it for more than 30 days a year.

Find out more

Alternatively, if you wait until you are ordinarily resident (have been here for 183 days or more in the past 12 months and have been living in New Zealand for at least the 12 months prior before you buy), then you will be able to buy residential property without applying to the Overseas Investment Office.

You do need to check the land isn't classified as sensitive for another reason.

You’re able to buy

You are able to buy a hotel room, but you cannot use it for more than 30 days a year.

You’re able to buy property in New Zealand

As you hold a residence class visa and you live in New Zealand, you are able to buy property here freely without restriction and live in it.

Find out more about buying property in New Zealand

You may be able to buy

You may be able to buy an apartment, but certain rules apply.

Find out more about buying an apartment 

Alternatively, if you wait until you are ordinarily resident (have been here for 183 days or more in the past 12 months and have been living in New Zealand for at least the 12 months prior before you buy), then you will be able to buy property freely without restriction.

You’re able to buy residential property in New Zealand

As an Australian citizen, you do not need to apply to the Overseas Investment Office.  Australian citizens and permanent residents are issued a New Zealand resident visa on arrival at the border.

You do need to check the land isn't classified as sensitive for another reason.

You’re able to buy residential property in New Zealand

As an Australian permanent resident living in New Zealand, you do not need to apply to the Overseas Investment Office. Australian citizens and permanent residents are issued a New Zealand resident visa on arrival at the border. 

You do need to check the land isn't classified as sensitive for another reason.

You may be able to buy

You may be able to buy an apartment, but certain rules apply.

Find out more

Alternatively, if you wait until you are ordinarily resident (have been here for 183 days or more in the past 12 months and have been living in New Zealand for at least the 12 months prior before you buy), then you will be able to buy residential property freely without applying to the the Overseas Investment Office.

You do need to check the land isn't classified as sensitive for another reason.

You’re able to buy residential property in New Zealand

As a Singaporean permanent resident living in New Zealand, you do not need to apply to the Overseas Investment Office. 

You do need to check the land isn't classified as sensitive for another reason.

You may be able to buy

You may be able to buy an apartment, but certain rules apply.

Find out more about buying an apartment

You’re not able to buy

You cannot a buy holiday home.

Alternatively, if you wait until you are ordinarily resident (have been here for 183 days or more in the past 12 months and have been living in New Zealand for at least the 12 months prior before you buy), then you can buy property here freely without applying to the Overseas Investment Office.

You’re able to buy property in New Zealand

As you hold a residence class visa and you live in New Zealand, you are able to buy property here freely without applying to the Overseas Investment Office.

Find out more about buying property in New Zealand

You’re able to buy residential property in New Zealand

As an Australian citizen, you do not need to apply to the Overseas Investment Office. Australian citizens and permanent residents are issued a New Zealand resident visa on arrival at the border. 

You do need to check the land isn't classified as sensitive for another reason.

You’re not able to buy

You cannot buy a holiday home.

Alternatively, if you wait until you are ordinarily resident (have been here for 183 days or more in the past 12 months and have been living in New Zealand for at least the 12 months prior before you buy), you will be able  to buy residential property freely without applying to the Overseas Investment Office. 

You would need to check the land isn't classified as sensitive for another reason.

How to tell if the land is sensitive?

You’re able to buy residential property in New Zealand

As a Singaporean permanent resident living in New Zealand, you do not need to apply to the Overseas Investment Office.  You do need to check the land isn't classified as sensitive for another reason.

You’re not able to buy

You cannot buy a holiday home.

Alternatively, if you wait until you hold a resident visa and are ordinarily resident (have been here for 183 days or more in the past 12 months and have been living in New Zealand for at least the 12 months prior before you buy), you will be able to buy residential property freely without applying to the Overseas Investment Office. 

You would need to check the land isn't classified as sensitive for another reason.

How to tell if the land is sensitive?

You may be able to buy property

Find out more about buying rental or investment properties

For other types of property such as commercial property, the rules are complex.

Find out more

You may be able to buy commercial property

These rules are complex.

Find out more

You can only buy certain rental or investment property in New Zealand.

Find out more

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