In February 2025, the Associate Minister of Finance announced a range of changes to the Act, including:
- better acknowledging the benefits investment can provide to New Zealand’s economy
- for all investments aside from residential land, farm land and fishing quota, making decisions in just 15 working days unless the application could be contrary to New Zealand’s national interest
- strengthening the Government’s ability to intervene on the rare occasion that a transaction is not in the national interest
- giving Toitū Te Whenua, as the regulator of the Act, more powers to grant consent without involving Ministers.
Treasury is leading work on the reforms, with operational support and advice provided by the Toitū Te Whenua overseas investment team.
Legislation is expected to be enacted by the end of 2025.