A new visa policy boosted foreign high-net-worth buyers in New Zealand’s Southern Lakes, spiking luxury property sales.

A new policy allowing Active Investor Plus visa holders to buy high-value properties has spurred a surge in international high-net-worth buyers in New Zealand’s Southern Lakes region, particularly Queenstown, Arrowtown, and Wānaka. Property viewings, sales, and website traffic from the U.S., Australia, Germany, Switzerland, Hong Kong, Japan, and China have risen sharply, with a 55.6% increase in $5 million-plus transactions nationally and nearly 80% of those sales in the Southern Lakes. Overseas buyer participation doubled year-on-year, reaching 13% in early 2026, driven by improved access and strong demand for luxury homes with privacy and scenic views, though supply remains tight for properties over $10 million.