Long-term Business visa for New Zealand

Could this be Plan G?

I am now promoting and expanding my Personal Coaching and Small Business service as it finally dawned on me that it's a business I could move with me to New Zealand, rather than having to start all over again. In fact, I could even start promoting it in NZ now and start to get Kiwi clients before I even move. (I realise I would need to get tax advice on this.)

So with that in mind, I checked-out the very helpful NZ Immigration Services website, to see what business emigration visas there were. They've changed since I last looked, but that's good news - there now seems to be a category that I'd fit into, even with having changed over the years what my business does and even with having gone into employment and sometimes let the business go dormant.

The one that applies to me is the Long-Term Business Visa. I'd have to take money equivalent to three years' worth of livings costs with me, which NZIS say is about NZ$50-100 per year; and I'd need to be able to demonstrate I've run a business/been a senior manager in someone else's business.

I emailed them with some questions and it turns out that getting this visa would enable my boyfriend either to work in my business too, or to get a job with an NZ employer.

On reflection, I now have more questions: would I still need to take three years' worth of living costs if my boyfriend secures a full-time job and his own visa? Can the proceeds from the forthcoming sale of the house count, or do the funds need to be acutally in our bank account when I apply for the visa? Questions, questions!

What experiences do you have with NZ business/self-employement visas? I'd love to hear about them and I'm sure other readers would too.
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