Bloomsbury blog Which New Zealand charities qualify for Active Investor Plus Visa philanthropy?

Bloomsbury blog post, 29 August 2026

Bloomsbury Associates has published the NZ AIP Charity List - a free search tool to help Active Investor Plus Visa (AIP) investors find charities that may meet the philanthropic investment criteria.

The Active Investor Plus Visa success story

New Zealand's Active Investor Plus Visa is one of the clearest wins in recent immigration and investment policy. It is designed to bring experienced overseas investors and their capital into the country, with residence available after funds stay in acceptable New Zealand investments for the required period.

Most applicants use the Growth category, with a minimum investment of NZD $5 million over three years. The Balanced category requires NZD $10 million over five years and allows a wider mix of acceptable investments. Between them, the programme is pulling meaningful foreign capital into New Zealand businesses, funds, and other approved asset classes.

2026 expansion: Opening up the philanthropic investment pathway

In 2026 the government added philanthropy as an acceptable AIP investment under both categories. For Growth applicants, philanthropic gifts can make up to 20% of the total investment - typically as much as NZD $1 million of a $5 million commitment. For Balanced applicants, philanthropic investments can make up any share, including the full NZD $10 million, provided the gift meets the rules.

That is a strong policy idea for two reasons.

First, unlike a fund or company holding, a philanthropic gift is not capital the investor later draws back out. Once it goes to an eligible New Zealand charity for use in New Zealand, it stays in the charity sector. Even a modest share of AIP capital directed this way could put millions into for-purpose organisations, elevating their impact in our communities.

Second, there is a clear benefit for the investor beyond a warm glow. Some investors will see the Active Investor Plus Visa as a request to put down roots. Directing part of the required investment into New Zealand charities is one of the best ways to demonstrate commitment to the country, more so than an asset class that can be exited later.

On paper, charities, investors, and New Zealand all gain. In practice, Immigration New Zealand have not published any statistics on the value of committed capital through philanthropic investments. But we don't think it's zero - the charity sector are reporting strong interest from AIP investors and (according to our network of charities and donors) there are visa applications involving philanthropic investments that are currently in progress.

Eligible philanthropic investment list is missing

We wanted to ensure that an AIP investor's philanthropic intention could be fulfilled whenever possible. We want to see the strong interest received by the charity sector so far, convert into committed capital. An acceptable list for philanthropic investments could be the missing link.

For listed equities, managed funds, bonds, and other acceptable AIP investments, applicants can choose from published pathways and lists. Philanthropy is different. Immigration New Zealand sets the charity criteria. Invest New Zealand does not assess or manage philanthropy eligibility. And there is no official government "AIP charity list" you can simply pick from.

To count, gifts generally need to go to New Zealand charities that:

• are registered charities with at least five years of compliant annual returns
• have current Inland Revenue donee status
• are Tier 1 to 3 reporting charities
• will use the funds in New Zealand.

Applicants must also declare links to the charity. Conflicts of interest can sink an application.

Analysis by Bloomsbury Associates suggests only around 27% of New Zealand's 30,000 registered charities are likely to meet the published AIP eligibility rules - and there is no official shortlist. Prospective AIP investors who want to make a philanthropic investment must search across two official data sources and a multi-faceted criteria for eligibility.

Faced with thousands of charities and a homework assignment, most people do the rational thing. They put the money somewhere with a published list and move on. The one AIP pathway that commits capital to New Zealand permanently becomes the hardest to use.

Introducing Bloomsbury's NZ AIP Charity List

The NZ AIP Charity List is Bloomsbury's answer to that gap: a free search tool built from official Charities Register data, filtered against the published AIP charity criteria, and cross-checked with Inland Revenue donee information.

You can search charities that may qualify for AIP philanthropic investment by name, purpose, region, and sector. In plain terms, it is the eligible philanthropic investment list the pathway never got - a practical starting point for investors, Licensed Immigration Advisers, and charities exploring AIP gifts.

Try the NZ AIP Charity List now: aipcharitylist.co.nz

Listing here is not Immigration New Zealand approval. Confirm donee status with Inland Revenue and philanthropic investment eligibility with Immigration New Zealand (or your Licensed Immigration Adviser) before you donate.

The AIP Charity List complements Bloomsbury's existing free resources, such as The Giving Gauge. These resources aim to break down barriers to giving in New Zealand, helping Kiwis who have philanthropic intentions reach their charitable goals.