Luxon’s centre-right government wants more foreign direct investment to boost economic growth ahead of a 2026 election. It is cutting red tape and speeding consents for major projects, from transport and energy infrastructure to housing and mining.
The government is also adjusting immigration settings to ensure it attracts the investors and workers the economy needs, the summit was told.
Luxon didn’t mention US President Donald Trump or his imposition of tariffs, but he said free trade was essential to New Zealand’s economic success.
“We consistently advocate for a rules-based international order that allows small countries like New Zealand to thrive,” Luxon said. “Free trade isn’t just an idea in New Zealand; it’s the bedrock of our prosperity.”
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He also hailed New Zealand’s relative political stability.
“When you look at all the tension, volatility and strife in the world today, I think that makes us pretty special, and a very attractive destination for anyone looking to take shelter from the global storm,” he said.
‘Migrant entrepreneurs’
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The government said around 100 delegates from New Zealand and abroad are attending the summit, including the Ministry of Investment for the United Arab Emirates, Hong Kong’s CK Infrastructure Holdings and US investment fund Global Infrastructure Partners, which is owned by BlackRock.
Luxon said New Zealand’s economy was at the beginning of a cyclical recovery, with inflation contained and economic growth set to gather pace.
Immigration Minister Erica Stanford said the government wanted to make it easier for highly-skilled and high net-worth individuals to live, work and invest in New Zealand.
New so-called golden visa rules are being introduced from April 1 to lure wealthy migrants and Stanford is now turning to an overhaul of the entrepreneur visa.
“The current visa is not working well — it attracts few applicants, and it is complex to navigate,” she said. “The aim is to offer an attractive pathway for migrant entrepreneurs who have the capital and experience to operate businesses in New Zealand.”
