New Zealand’s Government has greatly simplified New Zealand’s foreign investment regime with the passing of the Overseas Investment Amendment Act (No 3) (the No.3 Act). The No.3 Act received Royal Assent on 24 May 2021. Many of its provisions come into force on 5 July 2021, though some may take up to a year to come into force. The changes are largely positive for investors, with more streamlined processes for the main types of consent…

The New Zealand government has announced that it is retaining the temporary emergency notification regime in the Overseas Investment Act 2005 (the OIA) for another 90 days. While New Zealand is free of Covid-19 in the community, it was no surprise that the ministers concluded that the ongoing economic effects of the COVID-19 pandemic justify the notification regime continuing. The next review of the temporary regime is due by 24 February 2021. Since 16 June…