Uglobal Immigration Magazine Volume 2, Issue 1 | Page 85

UGLOBAL.COM Unlike Australia and many other countries, New Zealand allows the applicant to choose his or her own investment options with only a few limitations. Any investments should have the potential for commercial return and not be for personal use; be invested in New Zealand in New Zealand dollars; be compliant with relevant laws; have the potential to contribute to the New Zealand economy; and be in one or more of the defined “acceptable investments.” The acceptable investments include residential real estate development, commercial real estate, bonds, company equity (private and public), managed funds, venture capital funds, philanthropic investments, and “angel fund and network” investments. Due care should be taken if investing in managed funds with international components, as only the portion of the fund invested in New Zealand companies can be considered an acceptable investment. The option to invest in residential real estate is an attractive option for many applicants. Auckland, the largest city in New Zealand, is facing a housing shortage, with a current shortfall of more than 44,000 residences. Developers are struggling to meet this demand. The largest apartment developer in Auckland is Conrad Properties Group, and while they have completed more than 4,000 apartments, with more than 800 83