Robert Wall: Invest NZ CEO on the success so far of the golden visa scheme

The appetite for New Zealand’s golden visa continues to grow. 

Since the rules were relaxed last April, $4.845 billion has either been committed or added to the investment pipeline – from more than 700 applications.  

InvestNZ is also changing tack – refining its overseas roadshow to create a more targeted approach. 

CEO Robert Wall told Mike Hosking the Active Investor Plus programme is simply about getting investment into growing Kiwi businesses to the benefit of Kiwis. 

He says their focus is on getting the best out of those applicants, and making sure their investments are going into productive parts of New Zealand.  

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Episode Transcript

Speaker 1 (00:00):
Looks increasingly like our Golden Visa is a hit internationally.
The rules got changed, of course, last April. Since then,
four point eight four five billion has either been committed
or added to the investment pipeline. We've got more than
seven hundred applications in is IT invests. Also, as we've
told you, refined its obaseas road shows, a forum ral
targeted approach.

Speaker 2 (00:17):
Now.

Speaker 1 (00:17):
Robert wall is the chief executive at invest New Zealand
and as well, there's Robert Morning, Mike Todd McClay spoke
very well of you the other day. A lot of
international experience. You're a good bloke and doing a good job.
Would that be your assessment of yourself.

Speaker 2 (00:31):
Look, it's a privilege to be leading a really expert
team and to work along a fantastic board. I came
back to New Zealand and joined in February and I'm
pleased to say we're well underway.

Speaker 1 (00:40):
What are you seeing by way of what's happening? Is
it better than your thought or about the same.

Speaker 2 (00:45):
I think that we're the very clear opportunity to significantly
increase investment in New Zealand to the benefit of KIWIS.
It's a really good opportunity as we look across our
sectors that we focus on where there's a really interesting
project and those align with what we're seeing in international markets,
and so yes, I'm positive for the opportunity.

Speaker 1 (01:06):
So the realignment of what you're doing out there in
the field, what's brought that about? And is it too
early to ask whether it's paying dividends?

Speaker 2 (01:16):
This is absolutely a long term project. We've aligned with
the belief that it's our job to go out and
understand what international investors want to invest in, and then
to bring that information back and act to make projects happen.
I'm pleased to say that the teams in the last
year to love a thirty two projects which we'll see

(01:36):
just over two and three quarter billion dollars invested, from
electricity generation to medical tech and from Ashburten to Kaitaia.
Rather I say, well underway.

Speaker 1 (01:45):
So in following this the way I have, there have
been questions raised around you're out there in the field
and you're spreaking the same old stuff to the same
old sort of people, and the people at home going well,
hold on, I've got this and that's over there and
we could be selling this. Do you take that on board.
Is that a real argument or not.

Speaker 2 (02:03):
I think it's important to separate the piece around the
AIP scheme and our overall purpose of increasing investment. So
we work right across energy, infrastructure, digital manufacturing technologies, and
we work to develop industries as well as new projects,
and we work on projects that are well inder way,
including the ARP scheme. So I think there's a real

(02:25):
breadth to what we're doing and that's important to note.
But yes, it is a long term project. I don't
believe that we're continued to focus in the same areas
but rather looking very broadly.

Speaker 1 (02:35):
Right, and the people who've got the money, are they
interested in what you've got to say? Or they go, look,
i'll give you a five million or ten million and
we'll park it up in something nice and safe and
we'll see you later. You know, do you have to
twist their arm?

Speaker 2 (02:49):
Look? The AIP program is simply about getting investment into
growing New Zealand businesses to the benefit of Keywis. We
do see that happening already from Bioimaging Company is to
orchid management businesses, and our focus is on getting the
best out of those applicants because they bring significant capital
and expertise.

Speaker 1 (03:08):
And the low so we're sorry, carry.

Speaker 2 (03:10):
On, So we work with them. We work to make
sure that their investments are going into productive parts of
New Zealand.

Speaker 1 (03:17):
Do they fall in love with New Zealand so it's
beyond the money and they dip their toe and then
they go, you know what, this is better than I thought.
There's more where that came from. Are you seeing that
yet or not?

Speaker 2 (03:28):
What we're seeing is individuals applying. These are ultimately people
and it's very hard to draw general observations. Very many
of them have a direct connection with New Zealand. They've honeymooned,
they've invested. The reputation of New Zealand is very strong
and they're attracted to come here and become future Key weeks.

Speaker 1 (03:48):
Fantastic, good to get the insight, Robitt, you have a
good week in Robert Wall who's the chief executive of
Invest New Zealand. For more from the Mic Asking Breakfast,
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