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By Lawrence Johnston

PEOPLE wanting to emigrate to New Zealand as 'business investors', may in future be required to invest their money in something more tangible than a bank account.
Currently, the category is open to people who have at least NZ$1 million to invest in the country, but who may not wish to actively run a business there. Applicants are assessed by points awarded for age, business experience and investment funds.
A total NZ$1 million earns one point, and there is an extra point for each additional NZ$500,000 rising to a maximum 11 points for NZ$6 million invested. But the New Zealand Government is considering reviewing the category.
Immigration Minister Lianne Dalziel told New Zealand Outlook she is keen to consider the possibility of that money being used for economic development initiatives or for infrastructure.
"I've spoken to a number of migrants who have said they would love to show their commitment to New Zealand by being able to say, for example that they've helped to fund a particular bridge.
"It would give them something concrete with which to illustrate their commitment to New Zealand," the Minister said.
"If you've got a bank deposit slip that says that a million dollars went in one day and a million dollars came out two years later, it's not really seen as a commitment to New Zealand.
"We should be ensuring that New Zealand is an attractive environment that welcomes and attracts migrants, but passive investment like that, I'm not sure that's actually of any real advantage to New Zealand," was Mrs Dalziel's opinion.
Stressing that the category had been introduced by the previous Government three years ago, since when few people had actually used it, Mrs Dalziel said: "It's time to review it."
The investor pass mark - which is currently 12 points - is set annually by the Immigration Minister, but prior to lodging an application, it is worth checking with your local New Zealand immigration office that the pass mark has not changed.
At least one point must be attributable to investment funds, but it is not imperative to have any age or business experience related points.
Age can be established via a birth certificate or passport supplied with your application, but you must be aged under 85.
Points may be awarded for business experience, with one point for each complete two years of experience, up to a maximum of five points for ten years or more.
Business experience is defined as a minimum of two years, with the qualifying criteria being either ownership of at least 25 per cent of a business, or management or supervisory experience in the planning, organisation and control of the activities of a business. In each case these must be lawful enterprises.
Evidence of business experience as a business owner includes - but is not limited to - original or certified copies of specific documents, plus any other documents considered necessary to allow the business immigration specialist to make the appropriate decision.
The specific documents concern proof of ownership, business registration, company accounts or tax returns, shareholder certificates, and a description of responsibilities in the business.
Funds and assets may be owned either solely by the principal applicant, or jointly by the principal applicant and spouse/dependent children.
Following approval in principle, applicants have 12 months to transfer their funds to New Zealand through the trading bank system and to place their funds in an acceptable investment for a minimum two years.
An acceptable investment is an investment which is invested in the country in New Zealand currency, and which under normal circumstances, is capable of providing a commercial return.
Investments in New Zealand with international exposure are acceptable only for the portion of the investment that is retained in New Zealand. For example, an investment in a unit trust with sole international exposure would completely fail to meet the requirement that the money is 'invested in New Zealand'.
All documents showing current value must be no more than three months old at the time the application is lodged and produced by a reliable independent agency. Documentary evidence that the funds have been earned or acquired legally, is also necessary as are standard health, character and English language requirements.