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Business Wire
3 days ago
- Business
- Business Wire
New Zealand Named One of the World's Most Peaceful and Prosperous Countries, Surging Past Global Powers in 2025 Rankings
AUCKLAND, New Zealand--(BUSINESS WIRE)--As global conflict and instability escalate, Greener Pastures New Zealand, a premier investment and lifestyle advisory firm specializing in New Zealand's AIP residency, is spotlighting the nation's exceptional performance in the 2025 Global Peace Index, where New Zealand ranks as the third most peaceful country in the world and the most peaceful in the Asia-Pacific region. With a 3.1% improvement in its peacefulness score year-over-year, at a time when most countries are deteriorating, New Zealand continues to attract a surge of interest from high-net-worth families and global investors seeking long-term security and prosperity. In addition to its Peace Index performance, New Zealand also stood out in the newly released 2025 Global Liveability Index by the Economist Intelligence Unit (EIU), with Auckland ranking #7 and Wellington ranking #20 among the most liveable cities in the world. The rankings reflect New Zealand's exceptional quality of life, infrastructure, education, and overall stability. Key drivers for individuals considering long-term relocation. The Global Peace Index, published annually by the Institute for Economics and Peace, measures 163 countries across 23 indicators. New Zealand received near-perfect scores in societal safety, political stability, and conflict avoidance, with only modest increases in military spending and weapons imports as part of ongoing modernization efforts. 'This ranking reinforces what our clients already know; New Zealand is one of the best places in the world to build a life,' said Dominic Jones, Managing Director of Greener Pastures New Zealand. 'From its safety and stability to its clean environment, strong institutions, and welcoming communities, New Zealand delivers an unmatched blend of opportunity and peace of mind.' The report's findings come at a time when New Zealand's reputation as a peaceful and prosperous nation is driving increased demand for its Active Investor Plus (AIP) visa program, which Greener Pastures New Zealand facilitates. The program offers a streamlined path to residency for eligible investors, many of whom are now choosing New Zealand in response to growing geopolitical fragmentation abroad. The Global Peace and Liveability rankings also reinforce New Zealand's broader quality-of-life advantages. The country ranks above the OECD average in education, healthcare, and environmental quality, and outperforms dozens of nations that once dominated global rankings; including the U.S. (now ranked 128th) and the U.K. (30th). 'At Greener Pastures, we're seeing a significant increase in inquiries from individuals and families who want more than just an investment. They want a future,' Jones added. 'They're looking for a place with world-class healthcare, smart governance, a deep connection to nature, and an environment where their families can thrive. That's exactly what New Zealand offers.' For more information on Greener Pastures New Zealand, please visit About Greener Pastures New Zealand Greener Pastures New Zealand is a premier investment and lifestyle advisory firm specializing in facilitating high-net-worth investor residency through New Zealand's Active Investor Plus (AIP) visa program. As a subsidiary of Origin Capital Partners, the firm provides tailored investment products and lifestyle transition support, ensuring a smooth relocation process for high-net-worth investors. Its government-approved Diversified Fund meets AIP visa criteria, while its tailored lifestyle services ensure a smooth transition, from real estate and education to local expertise. Led by Managing Director Dominic Jones and Board Chairman Simon Botherway, Greener Pastures helps global investors build secure, sustainable futures in one of the world's most desirable destinations. Learn more at
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Business Standard
3 days ago
- Business
- Business Standard
New Zealand golden visa: 189 foreign investors apply in just 3 months
New Zealand has received nearly 200 golden visa applications in just over 10 weeks, following a revamp of its investor migration scheme on April 1, 2025. According to Immigration New Zealand, 189 applications have come in under the new Active Investor Plus visa rules, which were updated to attract experienced investors and global capital. The country's economic growth minister, Nicola Willis, said this was a sharp rise compared to the 116 applications received over more than two and a half years under the previous version of the scheme. 'Investor migrants are clearly attracted to New Zealand's growing reputation as a safe, pro-business, high-potential economy. In a world where countries compete for dollars and talent, it's great to see New Zealand's growth prospects being recognised,' said Willis. Stuart Nash, a former Labour immigration minister who now heads Nash Kelly Global, said global politics — particularly in the United States — had pushed demand higher. 'It's the main driver,' said Nash. 'Many of the people applying are of a different political persuasion to President Trump.' He said concerns around Donald Trump's foreign policy and security decisions were prompting wealthy Americans to look elsewhere. 'Putin is on the doorstep and no one is 100 per cent sure what Trump will do on Nato,' he said. 'That kind of uncertainty means people are looking to New Zealand.' Nash added that interest was also increasing because other countries had pulled back their golden visa schemes. Portugal and Ireland have both moved to limit their investor programmes, while in April the European Court of Justice ruled that Malta's citizenship-by-investment scheme was in breach of EU law. New investment categories and timelines Under the new rules introduced on April 1, 2025, the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment created two simplified investor pathways: > Growth category: Minimum investment of NZD $5 million over 3 years > Balanced category: NZD $10 million over 5 years According to RNZ, 100 applications had been approved in principle as of June 23. Of those, seven investors had already transferred their funds and received visas. Immigration Minister Erica Stanford said the early uptake had exceeded her expectations. 'As of this week we're almost at 190 after 10 weeks, and I think that shows you the level of interest from overseas, in lots of different markets we haven't seen before,' said Stanford. She noted that most applications were from nationals of the United States, Hong Kong, China and Germany. Applicants have six months to transfer their funds into New Zealand and begin investing. 'Investment Boost delivers the confidence to put that capital to work, and to ensure that people are making investments that will pay off in the long run,' said Stanford.
The Star
6 days ago
- Business
- The Star
New Zealand's 'golden visa' scheme lures US investors
SYDNEY: New Zealand said on Monday (June 23) there has been a rush in applications for its new foreign investor migrant visa as the centre-right government looks to lure more high net-worth individuals to the country to stimulate economic growth. The government in April relaxed rules for the visa, including lowering the minimum required funds for the category that focuses on higher-risk investments to NZ$5 million (US$3 million) from NZ$15 million, and removing the English language requirement. "(There has been) a flood of formal interest in the new 'golden' visa," Immigration Minister Erica Stanford said. "New applications under the scheme represent a potential NZ$845 million ($503 million) of new investment in New Zealand business." In a statement, Stanford said the government had received 189 applications in less than three months for the Active Investor Plus visa, compared with 116 submissions over more than two-and-a-half years under the previous settings. Eighty-five of those applications, or just under half of the total, were submitted by US citizens, followed by China with 26 and Hong Kong with 24. New Zealand's economy grew faster-than-expected in the first quarter, official data showed last week, providing some relief for policymakers keen to put the economy back on a solid footing after it sank into technical recession last year. The two-quarter GDP decline was the worst since the sharp downturn of 1991, excluding the pandemic. - Reuters
Free Malaysia Today
6 days ago
- Business
- Free Malaysia Today
New Zealand's ‘golden visa' scheme lures US investors
New Zealand's economy grew faster than expected in the first quarter of 2025, offering relief after last year's technical recession. (AP pic) SYDNEY : New Zealand said on Monday there has been a rush in applications for its new foreign investor migrant visa as the centre-right government looks to lure more high net-worth individuals to the country to stimulate economic growth. The government in April relaxed rules for the visa, including lowering the minimum required funds for the category that focuses on higher-risk investments to NZ$5 million (US$3 million) from NZ$15 million, and removing the English language requirement. '(There has been) a flood of formal interest in the new 'golden' visa,' immigration minister Erica Stanford said. 'New applications under the scheme represent a potential NZ$845 million (US$503 million) of new investment in New Zealand business.' In a statement, Stanford said the government had received 189 applications in less than three months for the Active Investor Plus visa, compared with 116 submissions over more than two-and-a-half years under the previous settings. Eighty-five of those applications, or just under half of the total, were submitted by US citizens, followed by China with 26 and Hong Kong with 24. New Zealand's economy grew faster than expected in the first quarter, official data showed last week, providing some relief for policymakers keen to put the economy back on a solid footing after it sank into a technical recession last year. The two-quarter GDP decline was the worst since the sharp downturn of 1991, excluding the pandemic.
Japan Today
6 days ago
- Business
- Japan Today
New Zealand's 'golden visa' scheme lures U.S., Chinese investors
A rainbow appears on the Auckland skyline in New Zealand. New Zealand said on Monday there has been a rush in applications for its new foreign investor migrant visa as the centre-right government looks to lure more high net-worth individuals to the country to stimulate economic growth. The government in April relaxed rules for the visa, including lowering the minimum required funds for the category that focuses on higher-risk investments to NZ$5 million ($3 million) from NZ$15 million, and removing the English language requirement. "(There has been) a flood of formal interest in the new 'golden' visa," Immigration Minister Erica Stanford said. "New applications under the scheme represent a potential NZ$845 million ($503 million) of new investment in New Zealand business." In a statement, Stanford said the government had received 189 applications in less than three months for the Active Investor Plus visa, compared with 116 submissions over more than two-and-a-half years under the previous settings. Eighty-five of those applications, or just under half of the total, were submitted by U.S. citizens, followed by China with 26 and Hong Kong with 24. New Zealand's economy grew faster-than-expected in the first quarter, official data showed last week, providing some relief for policymakers keen to put the economy back on a solid footing after it sank into technical recession last year. The two-quarter GDP decline was the worst since the sharp downturn of 1991, excluding the pandemic. © Thomson Reuters 2025.
