About New Zealand, the island of Maori legends

New Zealand is no longer a well-kept secret but a thriving island nation whose economy is set to boom during the upcoming global recession.

In a nutshell, here is an overview of a few reasons why New Zealand should be on your investment radar:

1. The population is relatively small, and there has been incredible interest in migration, meaning there is a huge inflow of skilled capital from wealthy migrants. New Zealand’s immigration policy is still relatively affordable compared to Australia, and there are many options.
2. New Zealand exports high-quality food, hi-tech products and top education, so its economy is growing while its dollar is undervalued. 
3. New Zealand grants you a passport after five years, which gives you the right to reside in Australia permanently. 
4. Property prices are booming, and huge demand and low supply mean they will keep increasing.
5. There is no capital gains tax and no currency controls, so real estate development projects are a safe way to preserve capital 
6. The country is safe from Crime and isolated from the coronavirus. Clean air, water and sea make New Zealand very much like Switzerland 
7. The banking system is stable and safe.
8. New Zealand allows you to pay zero tax on your worldwide income for the first four years of your immigration, after which there is another tax loophole that allows you never to pay tax again. Still, you will have to ask our experts about this because it is a closely held secret for the inner circles of tax advisers. 
9. New Zealand has zero taxes for non-resident trusts, which allow non-resdents to hold assets via new Zealand trusts while paying zero tax. Another less secret loophole. 
10. New Zealand has no capital gains on precious metals 

There is a legend that tells that long ago, a young and defiant demigod faced the ocean to snatch from its depths what is today one of the most beautiful islands on the planet.

The story goes that Maui, a demigod, disobeying his elders' orders, sneaked off in a boat to go fishing with his brothers. Maui was discovered and punished on the boat, but his determination was unwavering. He wanted to fish at any cost to prove his worth to his brothers, so he used his own blood as bait and cast his hook into the ocean. Moments later, the demigod pulled a giant fish called Te Ika a Maui (the Maui fish) out of the sea.

This fish is none other than the North Island of New Zealand, which was joined at that time by another island after the canoe became the South Island of New Zealand. Later, when the Maui brothers cut the fish with their knives, the rivers and mountains of the island were formed.

Maori legends and myths still hold true, and, in fact, New Zealanders still remember Maui's magical journey and how she fished the country from the depths of the sea every time they looked at the coast.

That's what you call a good story, don't you think? 

Let's talk about New Zealand, the island of Maori legends and one of the few places in the world where nature expresses itself in all its forms: from glaciers, mountains over 3,000 meters high, and paradisiacal beaches, to its luminous caves, geothermal parks, and sand dunes. Testimony to its diversity in terms of natural landscapes is the fun fact that the entire Lord of the Rings trilogy was filmed in 150 different locations within New Zealand. The universe created by JRR Tolkien is so mythical that only landscapes as spectacular as those of New Zealand could recreate that story.

New Zealand is an archipelago made up of two main islands, separated by the Cook Strait, as well as several smaller ones. It has cosmopolitan cities as Auckland and Wellington, the largest in the country.

New Zealand's history begins with the Maori tribe. The Maori arrived in New Zealand in the 10th century AD. They where the first who called the new land Aotearoa, which means Land of the Long White Cloud. Maori society was tribal. Warfare was frequent in New Zealand. The Maori built fortified settlements.

The Maori are famous for their wood carvings. They also make pendants or tikis from whale bones. The Maori are also famous for their tattoos or moko, which were made with a bone chisel, a mallet, and blue pigment.

The next stage in New Zealand's history is the arrival of the Europeans on the island. The first European to see New Zealand was Abel Tasman on December 13, 1642. The Europeans fought with the Maori to stay on the island, and when the fight was over, the new land was named New Zealand after a Dutch province.

Today, New Zealand is one of the most attractive countries in the world to live in, investing or vacationing, not only because of its incredible natural gifts but also because of the advantages of the political-economic environment of this beautiful island.

The reliability of a stable political system

New Zealand is a parliamentary democracy; that is, it has a parliamentary government in which citizens participate in politics through their representatives. The only institution that can make laws is the House of Representatives, whose members are elected by the citizens.

Elizabeth II rules independently of her position as sovereign of the United Kingdom. Its representative in New Zealand is the Governor-General, who has symbolic and ceremonial functions and does not participate in the management of the Government, which is the domain of the Prime Minister.

In New Zealand, sovereignty is exercised by a parliament (New Zealand Parliament), composed of the sovereign (represented by the governor-general) and the House of Representatives.

As for the Government, it is formed by appointing ministers who must first be elected to Parliament. This means that in New Zealand, the Government can remain in power as long as it has the support of a majority in the House of Representatives.

Anyone thinking of visiting for pleasure or business in New Zealand will be able to have the peace of mind that comes from arriving in a place that enjoys political stability that is rarely seen elsewhere in the world.

One of the freest economies in the world

We said that New Zealand not only delights people with its stunning natural and cultural diversity, and we meant it. This country is in the top five most business-friendly nations, and that is another of its main charms.

New Zealand, according to the Index of Economic Freedom, has the third freest economy in the world thanks to its trade and labor freedoms that put it well ahead of the competition. The former British colony has a developed but relatively small economy compared to neighboring Australia and, indeed, other nations around the world. Still, its lack of size makes up for this in business opportunities.

After a slight decline in 2015, New Zealand has had a stable and robust GDP, with 2017 figures exceeding $200 billion. With a per capita GDP of US $42,940.58, the country sits comfortably between Canada and Australia with a sizeable middle-class citizenship, resulting in strong demand for goods and services. Many of these goods and services are imported from other territories, driven by several free trade agreements and key trading blocks, which offer benefits to both New Zealand and foreign companies.

New Zealand has put up the welcome sign for foreign direct investment, offering incentives, rewards, and a stable business environment. Companies find New Zealand attractive because of its effective tax and monetary incentives, as well as its secure corporate environment and business links.

New Zealand has a substantial range of tax incentives. Domestic taxes are much more concise than in any other country. This is because only one direct rate applies. This contains all the other taxes that we are aware of. Forget about having to make multiple complicated payments for income taxes, social security taxes, or payroll taxes. 

Also, a wide range of free trade agreements and regulations that promote competitiveness make New Zealand an ideal base for expansion into the Asia Pacific area for many companies, with free trade agreements (FTAs) in place with many of the world's major economies.

Investment opportunities in New Zealand

The island currently has investment opportunities in many industries:

Construction materials: the real estate market is expanding thanks to the upcoming construction of up to 450,000 homes. Activity in this sector grew by more than 12% in 2016. The country, in general, and especially the region of Auckland, is experiencing a real real estate boom.

In addition to the construction of traditional residences, there is a growing trend towards the use of modular houses, much more competitive in price than traditional ones. Many international firms providing this type of facility are beginning to establish themselves in the country.

Another subsector of interest is insulation materials. Recently, the Government has created a program of aid for the installation of this type of product in buildings and properties aimed directly at the owners.

Agricultural technology: the agricultural and livestock sector has a high weight in the economy, so it is not surprising that the country is very intensive in imports of all kinds of related products: agricultural and livestock machinery, agricultural inputs, spare parts, and more. 

The Government is making a significant effort to increase productivity by supporting investment in technology. For example, New Zealand is seeking to move from exporting milk, a product in which it is the world leader, to selling processed dairy products.

This transformation would bring higher added value to the local economy and involves business opportunities in equipment, services, and software to support the agri-food industry.

Other industries: among the rest of the sectors of interest to investors, in addition to bio-health, attention to the elderly stands out, as well as the growing demand for electrical apparatus and material destined for the different manufacturing industries for plastic materials and iron and steel casting.

Tourism and hotel equipment are other industries that offer good possibilities, due to both the increase in population and the increase in the number of tourists from Asia and the United States. Besides, these islands offer possibilities for the generation of businesses related to the supply of raw materials and intermediate goods of interest to the productive industry. They are a relevant market for the supply of fish and seafood.

If with all this you are not convinced that New Zealand is one of the most reliable options to invest your money safely, maybe a quick review of its main advantages will help you.

New Zealand highlights

The truth is that New Zealand is one of our favorite places. There's no doubt that this country has everything to charm anyone. But if we were to highlight the most compelling aspects of this place we would have to talk about the following:

One of the safest countries in the world: New Zealand is much safer than many places in the world. In almost every place, you can walk comfortably at night in all the major cities. Here residents and travelers can enjoy the best attractions without worrying about their safety as they would in other countries.

Its charming people: hospitality is New Zealand's middle name. In smaller cities, it is not uncommon for people to smile at strangers passing by and say hello or talk to you. Enter almost any hotel, bar, or restaurant, and you will be greeted with a smile. New Zealanders are naturally polite and friendly, and that is only one of many reasons to visit this beautiful country. In New Zealand, you can breathe tranquility in every corner of the cities, towns, and tourist destinations. The pace of life is tranquil, there is no rush, and that translates into well-being and hospitality that is difficult to find elsewhere in the world. For the mind, it is a panacea, we assure you.

Currency exchange control is unthinkable: perhaps one of our favorite aspects of New Zealand is that there is not (and everything points to the fact that there will not be) a currency control scheme in this country. People and companies enjoy the free flow of foreign capital, which facilitates the establishment of new businesses and generates jobs in the country.

It is straightforward to start a business: New Zealand faces its geographical isolation by betting on trade openness and the development of a business climate, placing itself at the top of the 'Doing Business' ranking. Generally, companies established in New Zealand take the form of sole proprietorships, subsidiaries, or limited liability companies. 

A well-being utopia: New Zealand prides itself on being free of extreme poverty and on the strong commitment of its public institutions to the social welfare of the population. The quality of life in New Zealand is optimal. The inhabitants of this country are generally well educated, healthy, and enjoy a comfortable life.

Besides, New Zealand's distinctive and relaxed lifestyle has particular advantages: a moderate climate, a healthy environment, first-class public services, equal access to public health and education, excellent levels of personal security, a democratic political system, and a stable economy.

No wonder the United Nations Human Development Index identifies this beautiful country as the ninth best place in the world to live.

There are few places in the world like New Zealand. No matter how you look at it, this country doesn't skimp on its natural wonders, its culture, or its tax and economic incentives. The Island of Maori Legends has a pulse that would delight the most discerning of people, a thriving economy, and an intriguing history to discover.