On a serious note.....
... they were saying on Radio New Zealand National this morning that applicants able to invest $20 million would have their applications for residency 'fast tracked'. No need to speak English, no educational requirements, no other restrictions. While they made it sound like an open door, the reporter implied that applicants would need to have the money 'in their hand' rather than tied up in real estate, shares and other investments. Realistically speaking, how many people will be eligible to apply under this category? And how many of those would actually want to live in New Zealand? I'm sure there'll be some, but $20million is a heck of a lot to have in your current account.
New Zealand First have been on the radio claiming that this proposal will allow foreign investors to buy up all the land and force property prices even higher. As I see it, the current rules don't stop that happening now and it's been going on for a long time.
It all smells a bit Tony Blair/Alastair Campbell to me.......
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