Foreign investors are sending strong and clear signals that they will prioritize New Zealand as a key market for their international M&A and investment strategies. Now more than ever, investors place a high value on New Zealand’s strong fundamentals in the context of a challenging global economic outlook, and continue to see funding and investment opportunities.

While uncertainty around the upcoming election has led to a decline in investor perception of New Zealand’s political and regulatory stability, a majority of investors say that a change of government will not impact their intentions to seek deals – New Zealand is still seen as one of the easiest markets in which to invest in Asia Pacific.

This report explores the current landscape for M&A and dealmaking in New Zealand, offering insight into the opportunities and potential challenges investors may face in 2023 and beyond.

Key highlights include:

• Investor intentions: 86% of investors are planning to invest – and close to half (44%) say they will do so within the next 12 months
• Top marks. New Zealand ranks as the top market in Asia Pacific in terms of ease of doing business and quality of investment opportunities according to respondents
• Macro views. 57% say current global economic and political challenges have increased their plans to invest in NZ as a safe haven
• M&A strategies. 49% say focusing on the solidity of customer demand is their top priority, followed by 36% who say ESG considerations are driving strategy.

The report is also available at www.simpsongrierson.com