Retirement to New Zealand - visa questions.

[Simon Holliday]

Thanks for allowing me to join!
I have recently returned from my first trip to NZ, which was not only to visit cousins and their families for the first time in Oamaru and Wanaka, but also to dip a toe in the water whilst contemplating my 'third age' I am currently in my 56th year and obviously nothing can or will happen for a good while yet, and by then the criteria will have changed. However; it's always good to know roughly what's possible and what can be ruled out, so please allow me to share these questions with your hive minds. I have studied various websites dealing with this, but some ambiguity remains.

1 The NZD60K p a salary is applicable at the time of application, or is
this expected during your residency? Part of my income is through
self-employment, and part through property rental. I would need to sell
some rental property here in Germany in order to generate the NZD750K
investment funds. I would plan to invest in something such as realestate
for rent in NZ in order to replicate this income strand once there.

2 Can the additional NZD500K contingeny be used to purchase my home in NZ on arrival
as well as to get one started while investments etc kick in?

3 What happens after the first two years have elapsed? Must the
investment remain in place (I would plan to do this anyway) and the 500K
be maintained, matched, or repeated? Is an income thresh hold still in
place, bearing in mind that the visa doesn't allow for salaried
employment? I work in the music business at present. Perhaps getting
something going in NZ such as helping to start a festival or simply performing at various
events with local musicians during my golden years may be allowed? My income
would be made up of investment options, interest / draw down from life insurance policies here in
Germany, and UK pension (topped up to 30 of the possible 35 years by
then) and a tiny token payment from Switzerland.

4 I have cousins who are NZ citizens and who have families in NZ. I
assume they cannot be 'brought into the equation' as part of any
application?

I have done some research, and seen that a lot of Kiwis actually have a smaller net worth than that required for incomers at the time of retirement.
Please don't misunderstand me. I fully appreciate the fact that this game has rules, and just want to check things through thoroughly waaaaay in advance.
Thanks for any help, guys!

[JandM]

Hello and welcome.

Give it some time, and there will be some answers and comments, I'm sure.

I have done some research, and seen that a lot of Kiwis actually have a smaller net worth than that required for incomers at the time of retirement.

Oh, yes. To speak cynically, the country reckons to be lumbered with supporting its own, whatever their state of health and wealth, but an incomer needs to be demonstrably shiny!

[Simon Holliday]

I have no problem with demonstrable shininess when one chooses a place based on a desire for a nice life. I think the authorites simply want to avoid those approaching a critical age from indulging in health tourism. Excellent as the info I found was, there remains the unanswered question after two years "Now what?"