Further to the attachment to question for written answer 32029 (2026), does the statutory timeframe for determining an application cease to run at any point during assessment, and if so, what was the total elapsed calendar time between lodgement and decision for the application recorded as taking 118 working days?

Answer

The timeframe provisions in the Overseas Investment Regulations 2005 provide that the assessment timeframe is paused in certain circumstances. This typically occurs when Land Information New Zealand (LINZ) is waiting for something from the applicant. The timeframe for the application which took 118 processing days was paused for 5 working days. The application was received on 25 April 2025, and a decision was made on 16 October 2025. Therefore, the total elapsed calendar time was just under six months. The assessment timeframe for this application was 130 working days. Due to the complexity of the application (third party consultation and a Ministerial decision), a 30-working day extension applied to the pathway timeframe of 100 working days (under clause 7(1)(c) of Schedule 5 of the Regulations).