Working from home has become quite the privilege in the post-pandemic era. While some companies are rolling back working-from-home rules, others have enshrined them in their culture, actively encouraging workers to stay home and avoid the commute.

While most of us might be confined to the dining table or bedroom desk on work-from-home days, there’s now another option. For people who live overseas can now work from home in New Zealand?

The New Zealand government’s relaxation around the rules to allow tourists to continue their work while visiting the country.

Under the new rules, which came in on Monday 27 January, tourists will be allowed to work remotely for a foreign employer under the country’s new ‘digital nomad’ initiative.

The government hopes that, by making it easier for people to work from the country, visitors will be encouraged to stay longer, meaning they’ll spend more and boost the economy in the process.

New Zealand’s economy has been struggling in recent years, falling into a technical recession in the third quarter of 2024. HSBC described the country as ‘suffering the biggest hit in the world in 2024’ as interest rates and inflation strained the country’s economy.

“This is a brand-new market of tourists New Zealand can tap into,” says immigration minister Erica Stanford. “We want people to see our country as the ideal place to visit and work while they do it.”

The move by New Zealand doesn’t involve a digital nomad visa as such – rather, it is a relaxation of the rules that apply to a visa that’s already available.

Now anyone on a visitor visa is allowed to work for a foreign employer, while holidaying for up to 90 days.

The new rules also apply to visas held by people visiting family and those who are on longer-term visas.

However, the rules only apply to those undertaking remote work for overseas companies. Those whose employment requires them to be in New Zealand, such as salespeople and performers, must still obtain visas relevant to their circumstances.

Tourist visas have a six- or three-month validity, but the New Zealand government says people can request an extension of up to nine months to allow them to stay longer.

“Many countries offer digital nomad visas and the list is growing, so we need to keep pace to ensure New Zealand is an attractive destination for people who want to ‘workcation’ abroad,” says tourism minister Louise Upton.

“Compared to other kinds of visitors, international remote workers have the potential to spend more time and money in New Zealand, including during the shoulder season.”