Reid Hoffman, the co-founder of LinkedIn, told The New Yorker in 2017 that purchasing property in New Zealand has become a code for getting "apocalypse insurance". He revealed to the publication: "Saying you're 'buying a house in New Zealand' is kind of a wink, wink, say no more."

The Australasian country has built up a reputation as a safe haven for the world's billionaires thanks to its political stability, beautiful scenery and so-called 'golden visa' programme. As of April 2025, wealthy individuals are eligible for residency if they spend a certain number of days a year in New Zealand and invest at least NZ$5 million ($2.8m/£2.3m) or NZ$10 million ($5.7m/£4.5m) in the country, depending on their visa pathway.

Billionaire boltholes to survive the end of the world