Damson

Does anyone know if the value of your pension pots can be used in the investment required amount or does it have to be liquid capital? Cheers

escapedtonz

See below.
There is no mention of 'pension' funds and since a pension fund is an investment or lots of individual investments of those funds I'd say it qualifies so long as the investments meet the criteria and the total sum is at least the minimum value. You would however be mindful to increase investments over the minimum threshold to take account of the fact investments can also reduce and don't always gain so you'll need a buffer to make sure you maintain your investments above the minimum threshold.
Get suitable professional advice.

This is pulled from the Investor 2 - Acceptable investment criteria.........

For an investment to be acceptable to INZ, it must:

• be able to make a commercial return
• be invested in New Zealand
• be invested in New Zealand dollars
• be invested in lawful enterprises or managed funds
• have the potential to contribute to New Zealand's economy
• not be for your personal use, eg your home, boat, or car.
  

Investments must be in one or more of the following:

• bonds issued by the New Zealand government or local authorities
• bonds issued by New Zealand firms traded on the New Zealand Debt Securities Market (NZDX)
• bonds issued by New Zealand firms with at least a BBB- or equivalent rating from internationally recognised credit rating agencies, eg Standard and Poor's
• bonds issued by New Zealand registered banks
• bonds in finance companies
• equity in New Zealand firms - these can be public or private
• equities in New Zealand registered banks
• residential property development
• eligible New Zealand venture capital funds
• commercial property
• philanthropic investment
• 'Angel funds or networks’ investments
  

Types of acceptable investments

Residential property development

We'll consider a residential property development is an acceptable investment if it meets all of the following criteria:

• it's a new development, and not a renovation or extension to an existing residential property
• the development has the necessary approvals and consents
• the purpose of the development is to make a commercial return on the open market - it must not be for you, your family or friends to live in.

You can't include the costs of any regulatory approvals or consents in your investment funds.

Commercial property

Commercial property is an acceptable investment where:

• The property(ies) is not residential or for domestic use.
• The property(ies) is used for business purposes, in that it is
  • capable of a commercial return; and
  • not used for land banking

• The purpose of the commercial property investments must be to make a commercial return on the open market.
• Neither you, your family, relatives, nor anyone associated with you resides in the development.

If a new development, the property(ies) must have been approved and gained any required consents by any relevant regulatory authorities (including local authorities).

Commercial property can include empty land if plans for development are submitted to regulatory authorities and/or work has commenced.

Philanthropic Investment

For a Philanthropic investments to be considered acceptable, we must be satisfied that it is genuine and is in:

• a registered charity with at least two years annual returns and Inland Revenue donee status; or
• a not-for-profit organisation that provides social, cultural or economic benefits approved by the Business Migration Branch Operations Manager.

Factors to determine if a philanthropic investment is genuine, may include, but are not limited to:

• the length of time the entity has been operating; and
• the constitutional arrangement of the entity; and
• the entity’s track record.

Growth Investments

Growth investments are ‘acceptable investments’ other than:

• bonds; and
• philanthropic investments.

For the purpose of growth investments, convertible notes are considered to be bonds.

Investor 1 resident visa applicants

If you invest a minimum of NZ$2.5 million you will be eligible to spend 88 days at any time over the three year investment period.

Investor 2 resident visa applicants

If you invest a minimum of NZ$750,000 in ‘growth investments’ you will be eligible to:

• spend a minimum time period in New Zealand of 438 days over four years from first arrival in New Zealand as a resident, or the grant of a resident visa while in New Zealand; and
• qualify for 20 bonus points.

If you invest a minimum of NZ$1.5 million you will also be eligible to qualify for a reduction of NZ$0.5 million of the investment amount.

When the investment period begins

If the funds you name in your visa application already meet the requirements for acceptable investments, your investment period will begin on the day we write to you to let you know your application's been approved in principle.If you transfer your funds into an acceptable investment after we approve your application in principle, the investment period will begin on the date you have transferred and invested all of the required investment funds.

Keeping your funds invested

You’ll need to keep your funds invested in New Zealand for the time period set out in your visa conditions. The time will depend on the kind of visa you have.

You can move your investment funds from one acceptable investment to another during the investment period. To make sure we'll accept the new investment, you should contact us before moving your investment.

Damson

MBK