Thinking of Moving to New Zealand? Think Again
If your version of a post-retirement (or post-apocalyptic) getaway plan involves buying property in New Zealand, it might be time to go back to the drawing board.
On Wednesday, New Zealand's government passed a law, called the Overseas Investment Amendment, that will ban foreigners from buying existing homes in the country. The law, created in response to a sharp increase in overseas buyers in recent years, was "designed to make housing more affordable for nationals" (especially first-time buyers) as well as to combat homelessness, according to Business Insider.
Foreign buyers will, however, still be able to purchase property in "new block housing developments."
Only a quarter of New Zealanders currently own a home, down from half in 1991. New Zealanders also face some of the most unaffordable housing prices in the world. And according to a 2017 report from the Real Estate Institute of New Zealand (REINZ), the city of Auckland has seen a 67% increase in the price of housing since 2012.
Associate finance minister David Parker said in a statement that parliament, "believes that New Zealanders should not be outbid by wealthier foreign buyers," and that residents "should not be tenants" in their own land.
And just who are those top buyers? Business Insider reported that the majority come from China and Australia. But there's another group hot on the New Zealand property trail: billionaires from Silicon Valley, like Peter Thiel, who purchased a sprawling piece of property in the upscale Wanaka neighborhood in 2015. Rumor has it he was lining up a place of refuge in the case of a major emergency on American soil.
"New Zealand has become known as a get-away for the super-rich who see it as an escape from crowds, social unrest and as a safe refuge in the event of nuclear war," BI reported.
At this time, buyers from Australia and Singapore remain exempt from the new law, as do foreigners with residency status.
H/T: Business Insider
TPG featured card
at Capital One's secure site
Terms & restrictions apply. See rates & fees.
| 5X miles | Earn 5X miles on hotels, vacation rentals and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel |
| 2X miles | Earn unlimited 2X miles on every purchase, every day |
Pros
- Stellar welcome offer of 75,000 miles after spending $4,000 on purchases in the first three months from account opening. Plus, a $250 Capital One Travel credit to use in your first cardholder year upon account opening.
- You'll earn 2 miles per dollar on every purchase, which means you won't have to worry about memorizing bonus categories
- Rewards are versatile and can be redeemed for a statement credit or transferred to Capital One’s transfer partners
Cons
- Highest bonus-earning categories only on travel booked via Capital One Travel
- LIMITED-TIME OFFER: Enjoy $250 to use on Capital One Travel in your first cardholder year, plus earn 75,000 bonus miles once you spend $4,000 on purchases within the first 3 months from account opening - that’s equal to $1,000 in travel
- Earn unlimited 2X miles on every purchase, every day
- Earn 5X miles on hotels, vacation rentals and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel
- Miles won't expire for the life of the account and there's no limit to how many you can earn
- Receive up to a $120 credit for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck®
- Use your miles to get reimbursed for any travel purchase—or redeem by booking a trip through Capital One Travel
- Enjoy a $50 experience credit and other premium benefits with every hotel and vacation rental booked from the Lifestyle Collection
- Transfer your miles to your choice of 15+ travel loyalty programs
- Top rated mobile app