Information for Overseas Enquirers Downie Stewart Lawyers Dunedin New Zealand

New Zealand is an English-speaking parliamentary democracy in the English tradition as reflected in its former colonies. Our court system is similarly based on English law, although in many areas we have made departures from the law as it presently stands in England.

Sweeping economic reforms in the 1980’s made New Zealand a place where foreign investment is welcome, and there are few regulatory controls. Money can be freely moved in and out of New Zealand, foreign nationals are allowed to own land with only a few minor strategic exceptions, and the ownership of businesses generally poses few difficulties.

The maximum personal tax rate is 33% on income between $48,000 and $70,000 and 38% on income over $70,000. The rate of 33% applies to all income earned by trusts and 30% applies for companies.

New Zealand also has a Goods and Services Tax similar to the English VAT system, although there is only one rate of 12.5% on all goods and services other than residential rentals and financial services.

For more tax information, our Department of Inland Revenue has an extensive website: www.ird.govt.nz

The legal profession in New Zealand is managed very similarly to the legal professions in much of the world. All legal practitioners must be qualified by University degree, have undertaken professional training, and be licensed on an annual basis. The Law Practitioners Act 1982 governs the practice of law in New Zealand. It provides that the overall supervising body is the New Zealand Law Society, but in each district there are District Law Societies administering certain local functions. There are disciplinary tribunals for professional matters both at District levels and the National level, while District Law Societies can determine disputes regarding legal bills.

The New Zealand Law Society has its own website with further information: www.nz-lawsoc.org.nz

Much of New Zealand’s legal and business structure is readily available on the Internet.

Immigration is restricted. In order to be able to live in New Zealand and be able to work freely, foreigners have to obtain "permanent residency status". This does not requires New Zealand citizenship, and citizenship is something that can be considered at a later date if desired.

Applications for permanent residency status can be made either in New Zealand or, more commonly, at New Zealand diplomatic offices overseas. Our Government Immigration Service has its own website which provides information and forms.

Applications are assessed on a number of grounds including ability in the English language, health, connections with New Zealand, skills, and the bringing of capital to New Zealand.

The New Zealand Immigration Service (a government department) has a very extensive website at www.immigration.govt.nz/

As for our own part of New Zealand, the city of Dunedin enjoys a position on the East coast of the lower South Island. The South Island is much less populous than the North Island, and the population is mainly in the coastal cities of Dunedin, Christchurch, Timaru and Invercargill.

Dunedin is home to Otago University, a well respected University which has a significant proportion of overseas students on its rolls. The website for the University is www.otago.ac.nz

For more information about Dunedin, see our Dunedin City Council's website at www.cityofdunedin.org.nz