Author: MIL-OSI Publisher

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Advocacy – Peters’ ‘bulldust’ claim is bulldust – PSNA

Source: Palestinian Solidarity Network Aotearoa (PSNA)

 

PSNA is challenging the government to obtain medical records held in Türkiye to prove the truth of Global Sumud Flotilla activist Hāhona Ormsby’s claim that he was beaten and injured by Israeli guards in Israel in late April.

 

In a confrontation at today’s hearing of Parliament’s Foreign Affairs and Trade Select Committee, Peters claimed Ormsby’s charges against Israel were ‘bulldust’.

 

“But when other countries, such as Italy, Malaysia, France and Australia, are actively investigating Israeli torture against their citizens, then the New Zealand government position, that Peters’ claims against Israel are lies, is untenable.”

 

“There are plenty of witnesses who will testify that Israeli Prisons’ Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir personally spat on Ormsby when he was held in Israeli detention.”

 

The Palestine Solidarity Network Aotearoa says Israel captured members of the flotilla on international waters in the Mediterranean, and then deported Ormsby, and other activists, from Israel to Türkiye, where their injuries were medically assessed.

 

PSNA spokesperson Rinad Tamimi says the Ministry of Foreign Affairs needs to urgently request those records from Türkiye.  Sumud activists have so far not been able to procure their own files.

 

“It might be embarrassing for MFAT to go through diplomatic channels get real evidence to show up their minister,” says Tamimi.

 

“There were three Opposition MPs at the Select Committee, Deputy Chair Damien O’Connor, Labour Foreign Affairs spokesperson Vanushi Walters and Greens’ Foreign Affairs spokesperson Tuiono Teanau.”

 

“They should demand Peters instruct his ministry to interview Sumud Flotilla participants captured by Israel, get their medical records from Türkiye and liaise with other countries, and the International Criminal Court, doing real investigations of Israeli violence.”

 

“If the Ministry finds Hāhona’s claims vindicated, then these Opposition members should make sure Hāhona’s trespass order from Parliament is revoked, and he is invited to share his experiences with the Select Committee, along with other New Zealanders who were likewise illegally detained and beaten by Israeli thugs.“

 

Rinad Tamimi

National Spokesperson

PSNA

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Advocacy – Members of Global Sumud Aotearoa Delegation come to Wellington this week to challenge the Minister of Foreign Affairs

Source: Global Sumud Aotearoa Delegation

Members of Global Sumud Aotearoa Delegation come to Wellington this week to challenge the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Winston Peters, over Government inaction following the abduction and mistreatment of New Zealand citizens by the Israeli Occupation Forces (IOF/IDF) in both 2025 and in May 2026.

Unlike Australia, France, Spain, Malaysia, Türkiye and other countries, New Zealand and its Israel First Foreign Minister Winston Peters have failed to launch a government investigation into the mistreatment of New Zealand citizens.

The Australian Federal Police (AFP), under instruction from Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong, have now launched an investigation into rape and torture by Israeli forces on Australian citizens who were detained in international waters.

“Knowing we were coming to Wellington, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs sent us an email yesterday asking us to provide information on what happened to our activists,” Rana Hamida of Global Sumud Aotearoa said. “The message was that they would put this to the Israelis – in other words: they will leave it to Israel to be both the criminal and the judge. That’s not good enough. Malaysia, for example, is taking Israel to the International Court of Justice over the kidnapping and violence dished out to their citizens.”

Returning Sumud member Hāhona Ormsby, who endured multiple beatings by the Israelis after being seized in international waters and taken to Israel, says, “Calling in the Israeli ambassador and slapping him with a wet bus ticket over tea and scones does not count as meaningful action.”

The government has treated people like Ormsby as a “threat” whilst doing nothing to hold Israel to account.

“I had two detectives come and interview me this week to assess if I was a “threat”. Imagine that? I joined the Sumud flotilla armed with nothing other than aroha and I – a New Zealand citizen – get treated as the problem! But some Israeli soldier fresh from killing women, children, and babies in Gaza and Lebanon knows they can holiday in New Zealand no questions asked. Hey, Winston, are you Israel First or New Zealand First?” Hāhona Ormsby asked.

Global Sumud Aotearoa is demanding that the New Zealand government launch its own non-Israeli-led investigation. New Zealand should coordinate with the other governments who have already launched inquiries into the attack on their citizens.

A first step would be for the government to formally interview our returning activists. Second, the government should liaise with the Turkish authorities who sent planes to Israel to bring over 400 detained Sumud activists to safety in Istanbul. It should be noted New Zealand provided absolutely no support whatsoever to their citizens.

All the Sumud people who were flown out of Israel, including the New Zealand citizens, were given medical examinations and forensic interviews in Türkiye. Some, including Hāhona Ormsby and fellow Kiwi Mousa Taher, received hospital treatment for their injuries. MFAT requesting medical records from Türkiye would be a useful place to start.

Below is a detailed response to Israeli propaganda that ludicrously suggested that the black eyes, broken noses and ribs inflicted on citizens from over 40 countries was an elaborate hoax. The photo of the damaged face of New Zealand citizen Julien Blondel, beaten by Israelis in an attack in international waters on April 29, should have triggered immediate action by the government. The Israelis, realising that New Zealand and other Western governments stood with them, not their own citizens, increased the level of violence in their June attack on over 50 vessels.

New Zealand First should mean standing up for our citizens not providing cover for Israeli crimes. New Zealand should also stand up for the suffering people of Palestine and Lebanon and demand that the United Nations Charter and the Genocide Convention be upheld and enforced.

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Legislation – Jones fails to force through Fisheries Amendment Bill before election, following public backlash – Greenpeace

Source: Greenpeace

News that progress on the Fisheries Amendment Bill will be delayed until after the election is being called a win for People Power by environmental groups, who say it proves how united the New Zealand public is against destructive fishing.
On Thursday, it was announced to the Select Committee that the Bill will not be progressed within this political term. This comes after tens of thousands of New Zealanders submitted against the Bill, and weeks of hearings in Parliament.
Minister Shane Jones championed the Bill that would introduce the largest changes to fisheries legislation in a generation. Greenpeace and allies say the delay is the result of mass public outcry from ordinary New Zealanders, recreational fishers, legal experts and environmentalists.
“The people of New Zealand have made it abundantly clear they want more ocean protection, not less. Thanks to all of the people who spoke out against this Ocean Exploitation Bill, it’s not getting rubber stamped ahead of the election,” says Greenpeace oceans campaigner Ellie Hooper.
“This Bill is not dead in the water, but the delay is a clear sign that some political parties are starting to listen. Ocean protection is what voters want and they are watching. They don’t want empty platitudes from politicians about how important the ocean is, if they are unwilling to do what’s in their power to stop its depletion.”
Karli Thomas of the Deep Sea Conservation Coalition (DSCC) says the Bill would take New Zealand ocean management further in completely the wrong direction, especially on bottom trawling.
“The Fisheries Amendment Bill would incentivise this most destructive form of fishing – bottom trawling – at a time when the public are overwhelmingly calling for it to be restricted, especially from seamounts.
“It would reduce public participation in fisheries decisions, prevent access to cameras on boats footage, and make it almost impossible for the public to challenge bad decision-making. It’s the opposite of what New Zealanders want and what our ocean needs to thrive.”
Polling released by WWF this week revealed that 90% of people wanted to see bottom trawling restrictions in some form. Barry Weeber, co-chair of ECO, says the can has been kicked down the road on this issue long enough.
“The devastating impacts of bottom trawling on vital seamounts and other high biodiversity areas are well established, and the public mandate for closing them has never been higher. Political leaders should state their position and make firm commitments to banning bottom trawling on seamounts and similar features ahead of the election.
“The ocean cannot afford more years of delay in protections. We know seamount ecosystems are vulnerable and important, and there is plenty of evidence to act to protect them.”
A coalition of environmental groups are calling for political parties to commit to banning bottom trawling on all seamounts and features in the waters of Aotearoa and the South Pacific – where New Zealand is the last country to operate a bottom trawl fleet. To date over 100,000 people have signed petitions on the issue.
The groups maintain the Ocean Exploitation Bill should be rejected in its entirety, before its next reading in the new political term.
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Northland News – Competition helps Taitokerau win the war on weeds

Source: Northland Regional Council

Northland’s first ever rohe wide moth plant competition has proved a great success with a total of 37,704 pods and 44,129 vines (with roots) collected over two and a half months by 38 registered teams and individuals.
The overall winner ‘Chasing Kings’ based in Pakaraka in the Far North collected an astounding total of 33,799 points for the pods and vines collected, taking home the $500 prize money.
Second place went to the ‘Pod Poppers’ of Glenbervie, Whangārei with team Project Island Song from the Bay of Islands taking out third placing. The competition awarded one point per pod collected and three points for every vine/seedling with roots intact.
On the back of taking out the Kerikeri High School moth plant competition in 2025, Aroha Chase from team ‘Chasing Kings’ was determined once again to get stuck in so entered the Northland Regional Council competition with her partner.
Most of the moth plant pods and vines Aroha weeded and entered were located around her Pakaraka community. Whether it was a trip to the playground or an outing to Waipapa or Kerikeri, getting rid of moth plant amongst the everyday activities soon became the norm. For Aroha, the desire to move the fast-growing moth pant has been a “personal thing” since listening to a talk on the pest plant during her school days.
“I find gardening fun; you’ll often find me in the garden and weeding around our home – In a way it goes hand in hand with the competition.”
Northland Regional Councillor and Chair of the Biodiversity and Biosecurity Working Party, Jack Craw says staff were delighted with the participation of both teams and individuals motivated to get rid of the invasive plant.
“Everyone who participated is a winner and it’s really satisfying to see the engagement from the public, including community groups and schools. Making a difference isn’t just about collecting the most pods, even a handful of collected pods will mean there are 1500 fewer moth plants in Taitokerau. Every vine pulled and pod collected counts.”
“As well as removing pods and vines from the environment, the competition has also helped to educate the public on moth plant. Competitions like this grab people’s interest and then they start to notice it and what a destructive impact it can have, with its fast growing, smothering vines.”
Councillor Craw says NRC Biosecurity staff were encouraged by the spread of entries around the rohe which include participants from as far south as Mangawhai in Kaipara to Kaitaia in the Far North.
The Northland Regional Council is looking forward to running the competition again next autumn, growing entries and appreciating the continued benefit it will have on te taiao.
Official NRC 2026 Moth Plant Competition results:
First place: Chasing Kings – 33,799 points Second place: Pod Poppers – 17,301 points Third place: Project Island Song – 16,301 points
The five $50 spot prizes:
-The Bevan Moth Busters
-The Garden Hoes
-Kolkman Whanau
-De Boer Lane
-Team Audrey
Want to know more? There’s lots of great information on our Pest Control Hub https://www.nrc.govt.nz/environment/weed-and-pest-control/pest-control-hub/plant/moth-plant/
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Fire and Emergency review should go further – Federated Farmers

Source: Federated Farmers

Within only a week of Federated Farmers’ call for a review of Fire and Emergency New Zealand, the Government has recognised the issues.
“We wrote to Minister Brooke van Velden last week asking for an independent review of FENZ, as farmers are really concerned about rising levy costs and declining rural services,” Federated Farmers vice president Colin Hurst says.
“It’s a very positive first step that the Minister has now asked the Department of Internal Affairs to investigate if there are better ways to fund FENZ than through insurance levies.
“It’s been 50 years since the system of collecting levies on property insurance began, while the responsibilities and workload of our fire and emergency services have changed hugely.
“It’s entirely valid to ask whether the funding model is still fit for purpose.”
However, Hurst says the investigations should go further.
“When rural and urban firefighting organisations combined in 2017, we were told it would be a more efficient and better-resourced service.
“Many people think that hasn’t happened. We’re hearing consistent complaints about rundown fire trucks, equipment and stations in rural areas,” Hurst says.
“We’re also hearing about a watering down of specialist rural fire expertise because of poor retention and development.”
In a letter sent last week, Federated Farmers and the Forest Owners Association called for a review not just of whether the current insurance-based levy model is still fair and sustainable, but if rural levy payers are getting a level of service that reflects the costs they pay.
“We deserve assurance that farmers and rural businesses aren’t subsidising the urban residential sector,” Hurst says.
“Farmers are willing to pay their fair share, but we expect a system that’s transparent, efficient and delivers for New Zealand.
“At the moment, that’s not what we’re seeing. The scope of the review the Government has called for this week  should be expanded accordingly.”
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Govt cuts dismantle team supporting public services that represent all NZers – PSA

Source: PSA

A proposal to disestablish the Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) Team at Te Kawa Mataaho Public Service Commission continues the Government’s attack on quality public services that properly represent New Zealand.
The proposed changes would result in a net loss of six roles. The team currently supports employee-led networks and DEI practitioners across public service organisations, building fair representation and closing gender and ethnic pay gaps in the workforce.
“Diversity, equity and inclusion in our workforce are not nice to haves,” said Duane Leo, National Secretary for the Public Service Association Te Pūkenga Here Tikanga Mahi. “They are essential to delivering fair and effective public services.”
Leo said the public service still has work to do to close diversity and equity gaps.
“We’ve come a long way towards closing gender and ethnic pay gaps in the public service, for example, but the gaps are still there. The public service needs a strong central team at Te Kawa Mataaho with specialist knowledge to keep building and maintaining a diverse, equitable and inclusive workforce.”
The proposal follows the Government’s changes to the Public Service Act, which removed requirements on chief executives and the Public Service Commissioner to foster a public service that’s inclusive and representative of the communities it serves.
“We all benefit from a public service that’s informed by the expertise and experience of people from the diverse communities it serves,” said Leo. “The Government’s culture-war scaremongering has no basis in reality, and now it’s making it harder for public services to deliver for all New Zealanders.”
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The Public Service Association Te Pūkenga Here Tikanga Mahi is Aotearoa New Zealand's largest trade union, representing and supporting more than 95,000 workers across central government, state-owned enterprises, local councils, health, and community groups.
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GDP growth reflects earlier recovery, but impact of global uncertainty still to come – EMA

Source: EMA

The EMA (Employers and Manufacturers Association) says today’s GDP figures of 0.8% growth for the March quarter point to an economy that was regaining momentum earlier in the year. However, the data does not reflect the challenges we have seen since the end of March.
EMA Head of Advocacy and Strategy Alan McDonald said that while the March quarter data signalled a lift in activity compared with the previous quarter, it reflected a period of gradual recovery through January and February, before global conditions shifted in March with the war in Iran and the closure of the Strait of Hormuz.
“We won’t see the full impact of rapidly rising fuel costs and ongoing geopolitical uncertainty until the June quarter data,” McDonald said.
“While fuel prices have eased somewhat and serious supply concerns did not materialise, businesses are increasingly concerned about impacts of prolonged global tensions.”
McDonald said EMA members had managed higher costs in the short term, but many were now looking ahead to the next two quarters with increasing caution.
“What we’re hearing from businesses is that they’ve absorbed a lot of the pressure so far, but there are limits to that.
“In sectors like construction and logistics, there are concerns that activity may slow in the next two quarters depending on the stability of the peace agreement and how quickly fuel prices settle back to a new normal. We’re hearing about machinery potentially being parked up, projects potentially being deferred, and decisions being pushed out while businesses wait for greater certainty.”
He said these on-the-ground drumbeats highlight the lag between official data and what businesses are experiencing in real time.
“Conditions on the ground have moved on from what this data shows, but businesses have been very adaptable – responding to disruption has almost become business as usual.”
McDonald said continued strength in the primary and export sectors had helped support the broader economy.
“Without that strength, the overall picture would look more subdued.”
Looking ahead, McDonald said the outlook for the rest of the year would depend on how long current cost pressures persist and how quickly business confidence recovers.
“The next couple of quarters will be critical. If higher input costs continue, we’re likely to see continued restraint in investment and hiring decisions.”
He noted that the New Zealand labour market was still showing signs of softening, with unemployment elevated and unlikely to ease quickly without a sustained pickup in activity.
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Northland News – Think carefully before buying aging vessels

Source: Northland Regional Council

Northland's harbourmaster’s office is warning those keen to do up ageing boats to think carefully about the effort – and costs – involved.
Northland Regional Council Deputy Harbourmaster Peter Thomas says the council’s maritime department disposes of an average of one boat per month somewhere in Northland, many of which had initially been bought as cheap ‘doer-uppers’.
“Many vessels that were built between the 1960s and 1980s are coming to the end of their life and are sold at ever reducing prices as owners seek to limit their liability and offload what can effectively be a costly and time-consuming problem for unwary purchasers.”
He says vessels are sold to people – many on a budget – who are then unable to keep up with the costs of maintaining the vessel to a seaworthy standard.
“A lot of money can be spent on getting one of these vessels into good condition but even then you still have an old vessel that requires a lot of maintenance.”
Mr Thomas says in the interests of navigation safety and keeping the environment clean, the council has an annual budget of $95,000 for debris disposal.
This budget helps with the costs of disposing of hazards to navigation such as trees, logs and other items that end up in our harbours.
“However, by far the biggest cost is that associated with the identification and process of removing abandoned and derelict vessels which are being left to rot in mooring fields and our waterways.”
He says these vessels range in size from a modest seven or eight metres to large ex-commercial vessels of more than 20 metres in length.
The cost of removing, cleaning and disposing of is generally related to size and the construction type of the vessel; they end up at either the scrap metal dealer or the landfill. Occasionally if a vessel is still in reasonable condition they will be sold on Trade Me to offset costs.
Mr Thomas says if an owner is known, or the vessel still insured, the council will look to recover its costs – which can be considerable. “The owner is fully liable for costs that the council may incur in dealing with their vessel.”
He says the issue of older boats being sold at cheap prices is an international problem that many countries are struggling with in an effort to keep their waterways clear and clean.
“So before you commit to what looks like the bargain of the century make sure you get the vessel inspected and get a good understanding from experienced vessel owners the many costs associated with purchasing a vessel especially one that is old and requires a lot of work.” 
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Tax Reform – Facebook just the tip of the iceberg of Big Tech tax minimisation – new report

Source:  Better Taxes for a Better Future Campaign

Recent reporting has highlighted Facebook's practice of minimising the tax they pay in Aotearoa New Zealand, but fresh analysis released by the Better Taxes for a Better Future campaign shows this is a widespread practice among multinational tech companies – not just Facebook, and the amount of money being moved offshore is increasing, taking our tax revenue with it.

In an update to the 2025 Big Tech Little Tax report, author Nick Miller reviews the most recent financial statements of some of the biggest technology companies and looks back over the last 5 years to examine the trends.  

“Google NZ paid away about 92% of its revenue in so called “service fees” to an associated company in Singapore in 2021 and has continued to do so every year, In that [5 year] period, its New Zealand revenues have increased by 66%…Google NZ has paid an aggregate sum of nearly $4.75bn to Google Asia Pacific Pte in Singapore while its average annual payment of corporate income tax [in New Zealand] has been about $6m.”

“[Amazon Web Services New Zealand Ltd's] revenues have increased by over 400% in the same 5 year period. The amount paid out as a service fee to its parent and other group companies quickly rose in 2022 to over 70%  of revenue and has remained at that level. AWS NZ has therefore paid away almost $1.25bn to Amazon group companies  over the 5 years while paying just over $10m in tax.”

[Report extract]

The updated report also looks at the two Uber operating companies and finds that they appear remarkably similar to Google and Facebook in terms of the size of the “service fees” paid to associated companies, how little taxable profits are reported and that almost no corporate income tax is paid here.

“This updated research shows that for at least the past five years, many of these Big Tech companies have been describing as “service fees” payments to group companies that appear likely to be mainly for the use of intellectual property. These ought to be regarded as “royalties” under existing New Zealand law and double taxation agreements, and subject to withholding taxes,” says report author, Nick Miller.

“By miscategorising these payments, companies that are earning aggregate revenues of billions of dollars in New Zealand are avoiding these taxes and minimising the overall tax they are contributing back into our economy.”

Another area of concern is the  practice adopted by Microsoft and Amazon data centres operating in New Zealand whereby the local subsidiaries receive a service fee from group companies while the actual revenue earned by the centre seems likely to be reported elsewhere.

There are still more companies that we don't know anything about because they are not required to file financial statements because their assets were less than $22 million or their revenue was less than $11 million.

“These companies include MasterCard NZ, Netflix NZ, Booking,Com, AirBnB even though it is obvious that the revenues earned in New Zealand by these groups are going to be many times greater than $11m…these companies operate a “service company” model  in which the New Zealand subsidiary is remunerated for services while the revenue generated by the activities of the subsidiary here is paid offshore.”

[Report extract]

“Overall a conservative estimate of the tax loss to New Zealand over the last five years is over $600 million from just eight of the big tech companies. This excludes many tax minimising multinationals, including those that aren't disclosing their financials,” says Miller.  

“Just this week we've seen Elon Musk be crowned the first trillionaire, and tech loomed large in the NBR's Rich List. These companies are generating enormous profits for their executives and shareholders, relying on our infrastructure and services, but are not paying their fair share to maintain them. The Government needs to stand up for local businesses and hard working New Zealanders and make Big Tech pay.”

Read the updated analysis: https://www.bettertaxes.nz/big_tech_little_tax_update?e=a058f8e1b0ba0a060f4e57ba89e35ae1&utm_source=tja&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=big_tech_update&n=3

Read the 2025 Big Tech Little Tax full report. See recommendations from Big Tech Little Tax report here: https://www.bettertaxes.nz/big_tech_little_tax?e=a058f8e1b0ba0a060f4e57ba89e35ae1&utm_source=tja&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=big_tech_update&n=5

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Golden Visa Fuelling Multi-Million-Dollar Lift in Luxury Rentals, Hospitality and Tourism – Data

Source: Impact PR for Realestate.co.nz

Wealthy international migrants exploring New Zealand’s Golden Visa pathway are helping fuel a multi-million-dollar lift in luxury rentals, hospitality and tourism before they buy property, creating wider economic benefits for accommodation providers, homeowners, restaurants, concierge services, tourism operators and local retailers, according to new data.

New research from realestate.co.nz has found demand in the luxury rental market increased by 43% between January and May 2026 compared with the same period last year. The data also shows growth accelerated after the Golden Visa changes came into effect, with international luxury rental activity in April and May more than doubling compared with the same period last year, increasing 123%.

New figures from luxury accommodation platform Stay Luxe also show property searches increased by 200% between January and May 2026, compared with the same period last year, as high-net-worth international visitors look to “test-drive” New Zealand before committing to residency or a property purchase.

Their data revealed Golden Visa migrants are staying around five times longer in luxury rental accommodation than other high-net-worth travellers, as they look to immerse themselves in local communities, understand the lifestyle and explore potential property options ahead of settling.

Industry experts say the overnight boost for the premium accommodation and hospitality sectors is among the first tangible evidence that the Active Investor Plus visa is generating economic activity beyond capital investment, with individuals already spending thousands of dollars a day across premium goods and services before any property purchase is made.

Sarah Wood, realestate.co.nz CEO, says the data shows international interest is accelerating at the premium end of the rental market.

“Luxury rentals give us an early read on buyer intent before it turns into a purchase. These visitors are spending time in the market, comparing locations and building confidence before making a significant property decision,” Wood says.

“What is interesting is that the lift is strongest in the premium rental category and becomes much more pronounced from April onwards. That timing is consistent with the Golden Visa bringing new international interest into the part of the market where high-net-worth demand is most likely to appear first.”

Greg Owen, Stay Luxe co-founder, says high-net-worth migrants are transitioning into New Zealand life in stages, with the initial phase already delivering significant economic benefits beyond the property sales market.

“What we are seeing is that these visitors are not just arriving in New Zealand and buying a home. They are coming here first, staying in luxury accommodation, exploring different regions, using local services and deciding whether New Zealand is the right long-term fit for them,” Owen says.

“That creates a much broader economic impact than many people realise. The accommodation provider benefits, but so do homeowners, chefs, drivers, concierge providers, helicopter operators, charter companies, restaurants, retailers, galleries and local tourism businesses.”

Wood says the data points to a more concentrated lift in luxury rental demand, led by overseas visitors assessing New Zealand as a place to live, invest and eventually buy.

“The growth we are seeing around luxury rentals reflects the way high-net-worth buyers tend to approach a major move. They want time on the ground to understand neighbourhoods, schools, lifestyle, services and the type of property that would suit them before they make a longer-term commitment,” she says.

Wood says Auckland has the highest level of demand, with their data showing luxury rental activity in the city was more than six times higher in May 2026 than a year earlier.

“Auckland is often where international buyers begin because it has the largest pool of premium property, international connections, private schools, professional services and the lifestyle infrastructure many high-net-worth buyers look for,” she says.

Stay Luxe data shows 81% of guests are international, with North America accounting for 41% of international guests, followed by Australia at 27%, Asia at 12%, the UK at 9% and Europe at 4%.

Owen says Golden Visa guests stay significantly longer than traditional luxury tourists, with these guests staying an average of 32 nights, compared with around seven nights for standard luxury travellers.

“That length of stay changes the economics completely. A typical luxury holiday guest may spend heavily for a week, but Golden Visa and relocation visitors are often here for a month or more. They are living in the community, dining out, travelling domestically, shopping, using services and in some cases actively looking for property,” he says.

The company says its top-tier luxury properties have an average total booking value of around $77,600, with an average nightly rate of $4,750 and an average stay of 16 nights. Its second-tier properties record an average booking value of around $13,400, with an average nightly rate of $1,690 and an average stay of eight nights.

Owen says daily spending on extras can vary widely, from around $500 per day for concierge support to as much as $8,000 per day for a combination of services such as private chefs, in-house spa treatments, personal drivers and security.

He estimates each stay generates around $20,000 in additional economic spend beyond accommodation, including food and beverage, activities and experiences, domestic transport, retail, art and gifts.

“The high-end rental market is becoming part of the front door to New Zealand for wealthy migrants. Before they buy, they want to understand the lifestyle, the regions, the schools, the services and the local environment. Luxury accommodation gives them that bridge,” he says.

The company says its average daily rate has increased 16% compared with the same period last year, with some properties more than doubling their average daily rate. Stay Luxe occupancy is also tracking around 12% higher than the wider market.

Owen says the off-peak benefit is likely to become more visible through winter, as Golden Visa and relocation guests are less tied to traditional tourism seasons.

“June to September is usually the quieter period for luxury accommodation, but Golden Visa travellers are different from seasonal tourists. If they are staying an average of 32 nights and travelling year-round, that has an immediate impact on occupancy and revenue,” he says.

Wood says realestate.co.nz is responding to the growth in demand by developing a dedicated Golden Visa rental landing page and new resources to help owners of premium rental properties connect more effectively with high-net-worth international visitors.

“These visitors often need high-quality rental accommodation while they assess New Zealand as a place to live and invest. A dedicated rental pathway will help make that process easier for them, while giving premium property owners a more direct way to reach this market,” she says.

The increase in luxury rental demand follows renewed interest in New Zealand’s investor migration settings, with Golden Visa applicants and other wealthy offshore buyers assessing the country as both a lifestyle destination and long-term investment market.

Owen says New Zealand is well-positioned to attract more high-value visitors, but the country still lacks the depth of ultra-luxury accommodation available in markets such as Europe, the United States and parts of Australia.

“New Zealand has outstanding luxury homes and lodges, but we do not yet have the same depth of supply at the very top end. International guests travelling with family, staff or security teams often need large residences, multiple bedrooms and a very high level of service,” he says.

“There is a real opportunity for New Zealand property owners. Some owners may not realise there are international guests prepared to pay premium rates for the right property, particularly if it offers privacy, design, location and a genuinely high-end experience.”

Owen says the next phase of growth will come from connecting high-value international demand with a more structured national portfolio of luxury homes.

“New Zealand’s luxury rental market has been underdeveloped relative to the calibre of international guests now looking at the country. The Golden Visa effect is helping expose that gap, but it is also showing the scale of the opportunity,” he says.