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Country Guide

New Zealand

World-class scenery, rule-of-law institutions, and a calm, outdoorsy lifestyle—balanced by high housing costs, distance from other regions, and no simple retiree visa.

Updated 12 Nov 2025
ISO / Ref NZ · NZL
Currency basis NZD
FX snapshot Nov. 12, 2025
Stands out for
Outdoors safety English-speaking
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Snapshot

30-second briefing

Residency ease Skilled migration and long-stay visas; rules evolve
Healthcare depth Strong public system; private for speed
Climate Maritime; North milder, South cooler
Tax outlook Progressive; foreign income rules-get advice

Cost of living

Illustrative monthly budgets

Single adult, NZD basis

Frugal

NZD 2200 – 3800

Includes housing, healthcare, everyday spend. Update for your profile in the calculator.

Comfortable

NZD 4200 – 7000

Includes housing, healthcare, everyday spend. Update for your profile in the calculator.

Luxury

NZD 8000 – 16000

Includes housing, healthcare, everyday spend. Update for your profile in the calculator.

Residency routes

Visas & pathways at a glance

Swipe horizontally to view the full visa table.

Partner/Family reunion

Spouse/partner/child routes; documentation-heavy; can lead to residence when criteria met.

Parent pathways

Options exist but can involve levies/caps/queues and financial tests; not work visas.

Investor / Entrepreneur

Active investor/entrepreneur streams; capital, sourcing, and ongoing performance requirements; compliance-heavy.

Work (employer-sponsored)

Employer-backed residence for a working spouse or late-career professionals; job-linked.

Student (long-course)

Education-led stay; not a retiree route; limited work rights.

Visitor

Short stays via visa/waiver; not a bridge to residence or permission to work.

Property ownership

Tightly regulated foreign purchase; does not itself create residence rights.

Permanent residence / Citizenship

Earned via qualifying visas, continued residence, and tests—multi-year journey.

Deep dive

Full guide

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