I found this while I was looking for something else, Macfod. ?Haven't had time to read it through so I hope it's of some use to you.

Long Term Business Visa and Entrepreneur category.

This category is designed for those who wish to come to New Zealand and buy outright, buy into (minimum 25%) or establish a business. This is not a points system but rather is dependent on the applicant showing that they have:

? A viable and credible business plan and
? Sufficient funds to purchase/establish their business and
? Sufficient personal funds to support themselves for three years and
? Appropriate business skills and background
? A business plan that will benefit New Zealand
? A good command of English.

The first stage is to apply for a Long Term Business Visa. If this is approved because you satisfied the above criteria and there are no health or character issues, a nine month long Term Business Visa will be issued. So long as you have shown that reasonable efforts have been made to begin owning and operating that business within that time (and have transferred whatever funds are required to implement the business plan) then further permits will be issued for the balance of three years.
During these three years you must buy or establish that business and operate it for two years. Once you have operated it for two years you may then apply for residence under the Entrepreneur Category.

Residence should be granted so long as you can demonstrate that you successfully established your business and you are still trading profitably and that the business is benefiting New Zealand.

"Benefiting" is poorly defined in policy and highly subjective but currently tends to imply employment and creation of new jobs in New Zealand in most cases.

There is a provision for an extension to these three years if there are compelling reasons why it could not be established/purchased during the initial three-year period.

Note:

? There is no minimum investment amount required under this category although applicants must demonstrate sufficient investment funds and personal funds to live off for their first three years.

? The granting of the Long Term Business Visa (LTBV) does not mean residence will ultimately be granted.

? If you have a spouse they will be granted their own work permit to enable them to either work in the business or with another employer for the duration of your LTBV.

? The Government does have some concern at the "quality" of some applicants under the policy and the types of businesses they are opening here. As a result an overzealous (and clearly out of touch) NZIS now require applicants to have business plans which propose opening or buying a business similar to that which they have been involved with in the past. The NZIS do not hold the view that business and management skills are portable and can be transferred from one business sector to another. Hard to fathom but true, demonstrating most (if not all) Immigration Officers have never been self-employed. Be very careful.