The Government has today issued a commencement order for key changes to the Overseas Investment Act regime. Investors will benefit from these positive changes from 6 March 2026.
One set of changes will apply a streamlined national interest assessment to certain types of overseas investment consents (essentially those not involving farm land or residential land).
As we outlined here the new process is designed to focus scrutiny on those transactions which are likely to raise national interest concerns in New Zealand.
However, most transactions proceeding through this pathway will benefit from a lighter touch process, with decisions issued within 15 working days (and most within 5 working days). This will make it one of the lightest touch review processes amongst Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) regimes globally.
A second set of changes to the regime will open the door for investor visa holders to purchase residential land. As detailed here the targeted pathway is intended to attract capital and talent while preserving core protections in the residential land rules.
If you would like to discuss what the 6 March 2026 commencement date means for current or planned transactions, please get in touch with your usual Bell Gully contact.
Disclaimer: This publication is necessarily brief and general in nature. You should seek professional advice before taking any action in relation to the matters dealt with in this publication.
