There is no problem for an overseas purchaser buying a residential property in New Zealand, however there are some regulations which are listed below:

Under current regulations, an “overseas person” must obtain consent in order to acquire or take “control” of 25 percent or more of:

• businesses or property worth more than $50 million;
• land measuring more than five hectares and/or worth more than $10 million;
• any land on most offshore islands;
• certain sensitive land over 0.4 hectares (eg on specified islands, including or adjoining reserves, historic or heritage areas, or lakes);
• land measuring more than 0.2 hectares including or adjoining the foreshore. The overall test for all land applications is that they can only be approved if the decision-maker is satisfied that the overseas investment is in the national interest. Ministers "must consider whether the overseas investment will, or is likely to, result in substantial and identifiable benefits to New Zealand or to a region, district, locality, or other part of New Zealand."