Retirement in New Zealand

Black Swan

Decades from now I will be looking for a place to retire. New Zealand has extraordinary natural beauty, stability as a nation, a good economy, and seems like an ideal place to retire someday. I can picture myself in a little one or two bedroom cottage, perhaps with one bedroom converted into a study, with a view of the ocean from a bluff or hillside residence.

Does New Zealand encourage retirees to buy property and settle there during their final years, or are there limits by age for such residencies? I had heard that there were limits for employment by age (45?), and was wondering if such limitations also included those wanting to move there after retirement.

If there are limitations by age for establishing residency, would it make a difference if I bought a property now in New Zealand, and slowly paid off the mortgage during the next couple decades; i.e., would it make a difference if I was already a property owner in terms of establishing residency at some future date (which may be older than 45, or whatever age cut-off date that may exist)?

Mrs OBumble

We cannot predict immigration laws of the future.

But based on current laws, I think that:

• Being a foreign owner of NZ property wouldn't help.
• Being able to bring in a substantial amount of cash (measured in $NZ millions, I think) would be your only route.

I don't know if there are age-limits on getting residence via working in a skill-shortage area.

And be aware that if you want to take citizenship, or work for a government department, you will need to swear allegiance to the English queen / crown.

horse7

have you seen the price of property there,its like here in the mad days.