Earlier this year the government trialled a new Global Impact Visa (GIV) to bring entrepreneurs and startups to New Zealand, and now Immigration New Zealand is teaming up with The Edmund Hillary Fellowship to deliver the programme.

The GIV programme aims to bring innovation-based ventures to New Zealand, including entrepreneurs, investors and startups who want to launch their projects in the country.

“In April, the Government agreed to pilot a new Global Impact Visa (GIVs) in partnership with the private sector, to enable high-impact entrepreneurs, investors and start-up teams to launch global ventures from New Zealand,” says Immigration Minister Michael Woodhouse.

To do this, Immigration New Zealand has selected The Edmund Hillary Fellowship to deliver the programme's attraction, selection and integration processes.

“Today, I am pleased to announce that The Edmund Hillary Fellowship (EHF) has been selected as the private sector provider to deliver the attraction, selection and integration programme for GIVs. EHF will identify potential applicants and build a regional network which will support participants across the country, while INZ will be responsible for processing and making decisions on visas," Woodhouse says.

The EHF is a partnership between not-for-profit leadership organisation the Hillary Institute for International Leadership and Kiwi Connect, an organisation that promotes entrepreneurship in New Zealand.

“These partners have an exceptional combined record of recognising, rewarding and nurturing emerging entrepreneurs and leaders. By drawing on private sector strengths and knowledge in this space, the government is better positioned to accelerate innovation and continue to grow the contribution migrants make to the economy," Woodhouse says.

Entrepreneurial Kiwis won't miss out on the fun, as the EHF will accept up to 80 entrepreneurs and investors, to provide collaboration opportunities for Kiwis and GIV migrants.

The GIV pilot programme will run for four years and will issue only 400 visas. Applications for the programme open in early 2017, while the first GIV migrants are expected to arrive later in 2017.

The Programme opens for applications in early 2017 with the first GIVs migrants to arrive later in the year.