New Zealand Government to ban foreigners from buying property

Prime Minister-elect Jacinda Ardern says new policy designed to stop soaring house prices

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Foreigners are set to be banned from buying houses in New Zealand as part of a phase of new policies outlined by Prime Minister-elect Jacinda Ardern.

The 37-year-old, who was elected as part of a coalition government on 23 September, said the new plan was designed to stop rising house prices and will apply to non-residents.

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Jacinda Ardern becomes the youngest female Prime Minister of New Zealand

‘We have agreed on banning the purchase of existing homes by foreign buyers," said Ms Ardern, according to AFP.

The new policy was unveiled on Tuesday as coalition negotiations between New Zealand First and Labour continue.

The announcement comes after she campaigned on social issues including housing affordability, and called capitalism a ‘blatant failure".

Ms Ardern also announced plans to cut immigration, focus on regional development and create new jobs, and promised that her new measures would "see a reduction in inequalities".

New Zealand First's Winston Peters, the country's Deputy Prime Minister-elect and campaigner for curbing immigration to the country, proclaimed that New Zealand was "no longer for sale".

"There is going to be a change and a clear signal sent internationally that New Zealand is no longer for sale in the way it has been. We’re happy with that," he said.

Jacinda Ardern receives a standing ovation as she arrives at Parliament after agreeing a deal to form a coalition government

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Ms Ardern will become the nation’s youngest leader in more than 150 years, and the youngest female leader of any developed economy in the world, sparking comparisons with other charismatic premiers – from France’s Emmanuel Macron to Canada’s Justin Trudeau.

Mr Peters said his party had opted for change over a version of the “status quo”, as he announced his party would enter coalition with Ms Ardern’s Labour.