Hon Todd McClay
Minister for Trade and Investment

Budget 2025 establishes Invest New Zealand, a new dedicated agency to attract global capital, businesses, and talent into New Zealand’s high-value industries and help drive long-term economic growth.

“This is about creating a smarter, more targeted approach to international investment—streamlining the process and ensuring New Zealand competes for the best people, ideas, and capital,” Trade and Investment Minister Todd McClay says.

“Today we have announced $85 million over four years to set up Invest New Zealand as an autonomous Crown entity, with a clear mandate to deliver on the Government’s economic priorities.

Legislation to legally establish Invest New Zealand will be passed over Budget week and the agency will formally commence activity from 1 July 2025.

“Invest New Zealand will partner with multinational corporations and foreign investors, with a particular focus on backing sectors that create high-value jobs and help lift productivity.”

The agency will provide expert support to investors and help connect them with opportunities across New Zealand’s economy. Its work will include:

• Promoting investment in advanced sectors with strong growth potential.
• Attracting new capital to innovative New Zealand businesses and research institutions.
• Encouraging global companies to expand their R&D footprint here.
• Helping to build the skilled workforce needed to support an innovation-led economy.

“An experienced advisory group, chaired by Rob Morrison, has been appointed to support the establishment of Invest New Zealand. The group brings deep expertise in global capital markets and will help shape the agency’s structure and legislative framework.

“Having the input of leading private sector experts has been invaluable to ensure Invest New Zealand operates with the agility and commercial focus needed for success.

“We are focused on making it easier to do business in New Zealand and more attractive to invest here. If it is good for New Zealand and good for New Zealanders, we will be saying yes to investment,” Mr McClay says.

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