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  • 3 Defined terms
  • 4 Applicant's ownership & structure
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When to complete this form
Use this form if all of the following apply to you:
  • You wish to buy or build a home in New Zealand on residential land1
  • You have a New Zealand resident or permanent resident visa, or are a citizen or permanent resident of Australia or Singapore
  • You are not ordinarily resident in New Zealand2
  • The home will be bought in your name, or the name of you and other people
  • You will live in the house as your main home.

For more information, see Buying or building one home to live in.

1. Residential land:

  • Residential land is sensitive land with a property category of 'residential' or 'lifestyle'. Check the property category of the land you wish to purchase at www.propertyvalue.co.nz.
  • Residential land also includes a residential flat in a building owned by a flat-owning company, regardless of whether the building is on land within a property category of residential or lifestyle. And for that purpose, reference to interest in the Overseas Investment 2005 includes licence to occupy.
  • Residential land can also be 'otherwise sensitive'. For example, rural land (including lifestyle blocks larger than 5 hectares), and some coastal land.

Residential land is defined in Section 6 of the Overseas Investment Act 2005.
Sensitive land is defined in Part 1 of Schedule 1 of the Act, and is also covered on our web page Identifying sensitive land.

2. 'Ordinarily resident in New Zealand' means that you:

  • have been living in New Zealand for at least 12 months
  • have been physically present in New Zealand for at least 183 days of those 12 months
  • hold a New Zealand residence class visa (or are a citizen or permanent resident of Australia or Singapore), and
  • are a New Zealand tax resident.

Note: It's an offence to buy land that is sensitive without consent, and you may be fined or receive a penalty if you do so. We recommend seeking legal advice if you are in any doubt about the type of land you wish to buy.


You will need the following to complete the application

If you are submitting a residential-only application, you will need:

If this application for consent includes 'otherwise sensitive' land, you will also need to complete the Investor Test questions in this form.

Fees, payment and timeframes
Applications from individuals for residential land that is NOT otherwise sensitive:
  • The assessment timeframe is up to 10 working days.
  • The fee is NZD $2,040.00 (incl. GST).
  • You can pay the fee by credit card when you submit your application, or you can choose to pay on invoice.
Applications from non-individuals (company/trust/other entity) for residential land that is NOT otherwise sensitive:
  • The assessment timeframe is up to 55 working days.
  • The fee is NZD $5,800 (incl. GST).
  • We will send you an invoice after we receive your application.
Applications for residential land that is otherwise sensitive:
  • The assessment timeframe is up to 30 working days.
  • The fee is NZD $16,900 (incl. GST).
  • We will send an invoice after we receive your application.

Note:

  • We will start to process your application when we receive all the information we need, and the full and correct application fee.
  • The OIO will not refund fees if an application is withdrawn, consent is declined or the OIO finds that no consent was required.

When to complete this form

Use this form if you are seeking to do one or more of the following:

  • Change the wording of an existing consent.
  • Vary special conditions (including time extensions to comply with conditions).
  • Revoke conditions of consent where consent would no longer be required due to changes to the Overseas Investment Act 2005.

See the page Variations to consent or conditions on our website for more information.

Note: If you are seeking a variation to an exemption that was granted, please contact us about it before applying.


What you will need to complete this application

You will need the following to complete this application:

  • Original consent details
  • Fee
  • Evidence and documents such as:
    • Documentation showing changes to the Consent Holder
    • Passports of new key individual(s) in colour
    • Marked up version of the original consent showing requested variation(s)
    • Any other relevant documentation in support of your application

For a complete list of what you'll need to tell and send us, see Information required for variation application.

The information you provide

When completing this application, please make sure you:

  • provide us with accurate and complete information
  • are concise and use plain English
  • upload tables, diagrams, maps, schedules etc. as appendices at the end of the form.

It is an offence to make a false or misleading statement, or material omission, in any information or document provided to us, under Section 46 of the Overseas Investment Act 2005.

We may share details of this application with other agencies:

  • to the extent permitted by law, and
  • as required to complete the application process.
Fee, payment and timeframe

If your application can be accepted, an invoice will be sent for the assessment fee from the Overseas Investment Office to the specified contact person.

You can find information about the assessment timeframe here.

Note:

  • We will start to process your application when we receive all the information we need, and the full and correct application fee.
  • The OIO will not refund fees if an application is withdrawn, declined or the OIO finds that no application was required.

The power to grant discretionary exemptions is limited, and in many cases a consent application will be more appropriate.
We strongly recommend that you contact us prior to applying for a discretionary exemption under section 61D of the Act.
See our website for more information about Discretionary exemptions.

When to complete this form

Use this form if you are seeking an exemption from:

The exemption may relate to one or more of the following:


Information about this application

The information in this application will be relied upon by the decision-maker. It is important that you provide us with accurate and complete information. It is an offence to make a false or misleading statement or material omission in any information or document provided to the Overseas Investment Office under Section 46.

The OIO may use relevant legislation to share details of this application with other agencies to the extent permitted by law and as required to complete the application process.

Please be concise and use plain English when completing the application.

Tables, diagrams, maps, schedules etc should be uploaded as appendices to your application.

You will need the following to complete the application
  • Information about the exemption you seek, including the reason for requesting the exemption and details of any transaction, investor, interests, rights or assets the exemption would apply to.
  • An understanding of the criteria for a discretionary exemption under section 61E and the purpose of an exemption under section 61B of the Act.
  • A signed Signature for application for exemption form must be uploaded before you submit the application.
  • Fee
  • Evidence and documents such as:
    • A diagram to explain the transaction
    • Passports of all key individual(s) in colour
    • Transaction agreements without redaction (e.g. Agreement for Sale and Purchase)
    • Record of Title of land involved
    • Structure diagram of the entity showing ultimate ownership (simplified and full, and pre & post transaction)
    • Certificate(s) of incorporation
    • Formation documents (e.g. trust deeds, constitutions)
    • Latest financial accounts (audited where applicable) and annual report(s)
    • Any other relevant documentation in support of your application

Download this document for a full list of questions and documents you need for this application.

Fee, payment and timeframe

If your application can be accepted, an invoice will be sent for the assessment fee from the Overseas Investment Office to the specified contact person.

You can find information about the assessment timeframe here.

Note:

  • We will start to process your application when we receive all the information we need, and the full and correct application fee.
  • The OIO will not refund fees if an application is withdrawn, declined or the OIO finds that no application was required.

The Act requires that farm land, or interests in farm land, are offered on the open market to people in New Zealand before an overseas person may enter into an agreement to acquire it.

If you require an exemption from the farm land offer criterion, or if you intend to rely on a standing exemption, we recommend that you contact us prior to applying for an exemption under section 20 of the Act.

Read about farm land advertising exemptions here.

When to complete this form

Use this form if you require an exemption from the farm land offer criterion.

Information about this application

The information requested in this form can be given by you or by one of your representatives, such as a solicitor. Our preference is that the person with the best knowledge of the matter provides the information.

The information in this application will be relied upon by the decision-maker. It is important that you provide us with accurate and complete information.

We may contact you to clarify or seek further information.

It is an offence to make a false or misleading statement or material omission in any information or document provided to the Overseas Investment Office under section 46.

Please be concise and use plain English when completing the application.

The OIO may use relevant legislation to share details of this application with other agencies as required to complete the application process, to the extent permitted by law.

The OIO will publish details of the exemption and reasons for granting the application unless there are good reasons to withhold the information under the Official Information Act 1982.

You will need the following to complete the application
  • Information about the exemption you seek, including the reason for requesting the exemption and details of any transaction, investor, interests, rights or assets the exemption would apply to.
  • An understanding of the criteria for a farm land advertising exemption under section 20.
  • A signed Signature for application for exemption form must be uploaded before you submit the application.
  • Fee
  • Evidence and documents such as:
    • Record of Title (search and historical copy for each title generated within the last three months)
    • Map of the locale and approximate location of the relevant land
    • Cadastral map and aerial photo clearly identifying the relevant land
    • Planning map from the relevant territorial authority (clearly mark the relevant land)
    • Any other relevant documentation in support of your application

Download this document for a full list of questions and documents you need for this application.

Fee, payment and timeframe

If your application can be accepted, an invoice will be sent for the assessment fee from the Overseas Investment Office to the specified contact person.

You can find information about the assessment timeframe here.

Note:

  • We will start to process your application when we receive all the information we need, and the full and correct application fee.
  • The OIO will not refund fees if an application is withdrawn, declined or the OIO finds that no application was required.

Significant business asset

This pathway is for people and entities who want to invest in New Zealand securities, assets, or businesses valued at more than $100 million.


Tax information required

Because you are applying for consent to invest in a significant business asset, you are required to provide tax information to Inland Revenue before we can accept your consent application for processing.
See below for more details, and our website for more information about this requirement.

Before you begin
Fee, payment and timeframe

Check whether you need to pay a lodgement fee. This is payable on submission of your application. You can upload proof of payment at the end of this form.

If your application can be accepted, an invoice will be sent for the assessment fee from the Overseas Investment Office to the specified contact person.

Read more about fees here

Assessment timeframes vary according to the application type. You can find information about the application assessment timeframe here.

Note:

  • We will start to process your application when we receive all the information we need, and the full and correct application fee.
  • The OIO will not refund fees if an application is withdrawn, declined or the OIO finds that no application was required.

Benefit to New Zealand - land only

This pathway is for people who:

  • want to invest in sensitive land, and
  • who can show that their investment will, or is likely to, benefit New Zealand.

Before you begin
Fee, payment and timeframe

Check whether you need to pay a lodgement fee. This is payable on submission of your application. You can upload proof of payment at the end of this form.

If your application can be accepted, an invoice will be sent for the assessment fee from the Overseas Investment Office to the specified contact person.

Read more about fees here

Assessment timeframes vary according to the application type. You can find information about the application assessment timeframe here.

Note:

  • We will start to process your application when we receive all the information we need, and the full and correct application fee.
  • The OIO will not refund fees if an application is withdrawn, declined or the OIO finds that no application was required.

Benefit to New Zealand, including a significant business asset

This pathway is for people wanting to invest in a significant business asset that will result in the investor having an interest in sensitive land, e.g. the land a factory is on.


Tax information required

Because you are applying for consent to invest in a significant business asset, you are required to provide tax information to Inland Revenue before we can accept your consent application for processing.
See below for more details, and our website for more information about this requirement.

Before you begin
Fee, payment and timeframe

Check whether you need to pay a lodgement fee. This is payable on submission of your application. You can upload proof of payment at the end of this form.

If your application can be accepted, an invoice will be sent for the assessment fee from the Overseas Investment Office to the specified contact person.

Read more about fees here

Assessment timeframes vary according to the application type. You can find information about the application assessment timeframe here.

Note:

  • We will start to process your application when we receive all the information we need, and the full and correct application fee.
  • The OIO will not refund fees if an application is withdrawn, declined or the OIO finds that no application was required.

Intention to reside

This pathway is for people who are intending to move to New Zealand indefinitely and want to invest in sensitive land.


Before you begin
Fee, payment and timeframe

Check whether you need to pay a lodgement fee. This is payable on submission of your application. You can upload proof of payment at the end of this form.

If your application can be accepted, an invoice will be sent for the assessment fee from the Overseas Investment Office to the specified contact person.

Read more about fees here

Assessment timeframes vary according to the application type. You can find information about the application assessment timeframe here.

Note:

  • We will start to process your application when we receive all the information we need, and the full and correct application fee.
  • The OIO will not refund fees if an application is withdrawn, declined or the OIO finds that no application was required.

Special forestry test (one-off consent)

Use this pathway to purchase land to plant a forest on or to buy forestry land and continue to operate it with existing arrangements remaining in place.


Before you begin
Fee, payment and timeframe

Check whether you need to pay a lodgement fee. This is payable on submission of your application. You can upload proof of payment at the end of this form.

If your application can be accepted, an invoice will be sent for the assessment fee from the Overseas Investment Office to the specified contact person.

Read more about fees here

Assessment timeframes vary according to the application type. You can find information about the application assessment timeframe here.

Note:

  • We will start to process your application when we receive all the information we need, and the full and correct application fee.
  • The OIO will not refund fees if an application is withdrawn, declined or the OIO finds that no application was required.

Special forestry test (standing consent)

Use this pathway to purchase land to plant a forest on or to buy forestry land and continue to operate it with existing arrangements remaining in place.

Note: You must have a pre-application meeting with us before applying for a standing consent.


Before you begin
Fee, payment and timeframe

Check whether you need to pay a lodgement fee. This is payable on submission of your application. You can upload proof of payment at the end of this form.

If your application can be accepted, an invoice will be sent for the assessment fee from the Overseas Investment Office to the specified contact person.

Read more about fees here

Assessment timeframes vary according to the application type. You can find information about the application assessment timeframe here.

Note:

  • We will start to process your application when we receive all the information we need, and the full and correct application fee.
  • The OIO will not refund fees if an application is withdrawn, declined or the OIO finds that no application was required.

Modified benefit test for forestry

This pathway is for investors who wish to use the land only for forestry activities and cannot implement or maintain existing arrangements relating to the land, such as agreements for public access.


Before you begin
Fee, payment and timeframe

Check whether you need to pay a lodgement fee. This is payable on submission of your application. You can upload proof of payment at the end of this form.

If your application can be accepted, an invoice will be sent for the assessment fee from the Overseas Investment Office to the specified contact person.

Read more about fees here

Assessment timeframes vary according to the application type. You can find information about the application assessment timeframe here.

Note:

  • We will start to process your application when we receive all the information we need, and the full and correct application fee.
  • The OIO will not refund fees if an application is withdrawn, declined or the OIO finds that no application was required.

Residential land development (one-off consent)

This pathway is for investors wanting to increase the supply of housing, invest in a business that uses land for non-residential purposes and/or invest in a business that uses land incidentally for residential purposes.


Before you begin
Fee, payment and timeframe

Check whether you need to pay a lodgement fee. This is payable on submission of your application. You can upload proof of payment at the end of this form.

If your application can be accepted, an invoice will be sent for the assessment fee from the Overseas Investment Office to the specified contact person.

Read more about fees here

Assessment timeframes vary according to the application type. You can find information about the application assessment timeframe here.

Note:

  • We will start to process your application when we receive all the information we need, and the full and correct application fee.
  • The OIO will not refund fees if an application is withdrawn, declined or the OIO finds that no application was required.

Residential land development (standing consent)

This pathway is for investors wanting to increase the supply of housing, invest in a business that uses land for non-residential purposes and/or invest in a business that uses land incidentally for residential purposes.


Before you begin
Fee, payment and timeframe

Check whether you need to pay a lodgement fee. This is payable on submission of your application. You can upload proof of payment at the end of this form.

If your application can be accepted, an invoice will be sent for the assessment fee from the Overseas Investment Office to the specified contact person.

Read more about fees here

Assessment timeframes vary according to the application type. You can find information about the application assessment timeframe here.

Note:

  • We will start to process your application when we receive all the information we need, and the full and correct application fee.
  • The OIO will not refund fees if an application is withdrawn, declined or the OIO finds that no application was required.

Fishing quota

This pathway is for investors who want to acquire fishing quota or an interest in fishing quota. You can't currently apply online for a fishing quota. Please contact us to apply.


Note

Please contact us to discuss before proceeding with this application.


Apartments off the plans

This pathway is for people who want to buy apartments off the plans as investments and not live in them.


Before you begin


Developers seeking exemption certificate

Developers constructing large apartment developments can apply for an exemption certificate, which allows them to sell up to 60 per cent of the apartments in the development to overseas people as investment properties. The overseas people do not need to apply for consent to buy these apartments.


Before you begin



Exemption from the definition of non-NZ government investor

The power to grant an exemption from the definition of non-NZ government investor under section 20AA is at the Minister of Finance's discretion.

Before you apply, we strongly recommend that you are familiar with the criteria set out in:

  • regulation 64D of the Overseas Investment Regulations 2005, and
  • section 20AA(2) of the Overseas Investment Act 2005.

When to complete this form

This exemption allows an entity or entities to be exempt from the definition of non-NZ government investor if the national interest assessment would be required solely because of their government ownership or control.

To find out more about whether you can apply for this exemption, see the Exemption from the definition of non-NZ government investor page on our website.

What you will need to complete this application

You will need the following to complete this application:

  • Information about the entities for which you seek an exemption.
  • An understanding of the criteria for an exemption from the definition of non-NZ government investor under section 20AA of the Act.
  • A signed Signature for application for exemption form must be uploaded before you submit the application.
  • Fee
  • Evidence and documents such as:
    • Structure diagram(s) showing ownership and control: simplified and full diagrams. The structure diagrams should include all relevant government enterprises for which exemption is sought and their ultimate ownership and control interests and jurisdictions
    • Certificate(s) of incorporation
    • Formation documents (e.g. trust deeds, constitutions), any other documents setting out limitations on the ability of individuals or entities to control or influence investment or management decisions and, where applicable, descriptions of trust arrangements and all share classes on issue (including who owns them)
    • Passports of all key individual(s) in colour
    • CVs for all key individual(s)
    • Any other relevant documentation in support of your application

Download this document for a full list of questions and documents you need for this application.

The information you provide

When completing this application, please make sure you:

  • provide us with accurate and complete information
  • are concise and use plain English
  • upload tables, diagrams, maps, schedules etc. as appendices at the end of the form.

It is an offence to make a false or misleading statement, or material omission, in any information or document provided to us, under Section 46 of the Overseas Investment Act 2005.

We may share details of this application with other agencies:

  • to the extent permitted by law, and
  • as required to complete the application process.
Fee, payment and timeframe

If your application can be accepted, an invoice will be sent for the assessment fee from the Overseas Investment Office to the specified contact person.

You can find information about the assessment timeframe here.

Note:

  • We will start to process your application when we receive all the information we need, and the full and correct application fee.
  • The OIO will not refund fees if an application is withdrawn, declined or the OIO finds that no application was required.

Standalone investor approval

This pathway is for individuals and/or entities who seek an Investor Test assessment under section 29A(1) of the Act before applying for one or more consents.


Before you begin
Fee, payment and timeframe

The application fee is NZD $25,500.00 (incl. GST).

If your application can be accepted, an invoice will be sent for the assessment fee from the Overseas Investment Office to the specified contact person.

You can find information about the assessment timeframe here.

Note:

  • We will start to process your application when we receive all the information we need, and the full and correct application fee.
  • The OIO will not refund fees if an application is withdrawn, declined or the OIO finds that no application was required.

Online form last updated 24 November 2021.


Latest changes, as at 24 November 2021 (expand for details)

Changes made in relation to legislation implementation

  • Farm land advertising changes, including new Farm land advertising exemption pathway.

  • Questions related to any fresh or seawater areas.

  • Land table change to include recording land sensitivity by property.

  • National interest question changes to clarify requirements for answering s20B questions.

  • Updated investment plan templates.

If you have feedback about the webform, please send it to oio@linz.govt.nz with "Webform feedback" at the start of the subject title.