Question from Heather du Plessis - Allan Drive NewstalkNZ on air:

Is it important for offshore investors who move to New Zealand to be able to speak English? 

I’m asking this because Stuart Nash has now made it harder for investors who want to bring their money here to pass the English language test.

So beforehand, we offered two investor visas.

Only one of them required an English language test. The other one: nothing at all 

And the test – called an IELTS test – required a score of 3. 

Now all investors need to pass an English language test. 

And they have to score five.

Why?

Why do investors need to pass a harder test?

But why do investors need to be able to speak English at all? 

I can understand if we require certain migrants like doctors to be able to speak English because that’s life or death stuff and communication is essential.

But it makes no sense to require investors to speak English.

Because all we need them to do is put their money into growing Kiwi businesses.

Whether they can speak English or not is unimportant.

The US and Australia don’t require an English language test and we can’t afford to put obstacles like this in the way of investors.

We need their money. 

We need people like that to move here.

Already, we’re struggling.

Last year we had 400 spots set aside for investors – only 176 were approved.

This new investor category, even the Minister admits, is going to make it so much harder that we end up with even fewer wealthy migrants coming here.

So again, is speaking English really that important when we all know it’s money that talks?

Source NewstalkZB on air