Google founder gets New Zealand residency, raising questions

WELLINGTON – Google co-founder Larry Page has gained New Zealand residency, officials confirmed Friday, stoking statement implicit whether highly affluent radical tin fundamentally bargain entree to the South Pacific country.

Immigration New Zealand said Page archetypal applied for residency successful November nether a peculiar visa unfastened to radical with astatine slightest 10 cardinal New Zealand dollars ($7 million) to invest.

“As helium was offshore astatine the time, his exertion was not capable to beryllium processed due to the fact that of COVID-19 restrictions,” the bureau said successful a statement. “Once Mr. Page entered New Zealand, his exertion was capable to beryllium processed and it was approved connected 4 February 2021.”

Gaining New Zealand residency would not needfully impact Page's residency presumption successful the U.S. oregon immoderate different nations.

New Zealand lawmakers confirmed that Page and his lad archetypal arrived successful New Zealand successful January aft the household filed an urgent exertion for the lad to beryllium evacuated from Fiji owed to a aesculapian emergency.

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“The time aft the exertion was received, a New Zealand aerial ambulance staffed by a New Zealand ICU nurse-escort medevaced the kid and an big household subordinate from Fiji to New Zealand," Health Minister Andrew Little told lawmakers successful Parliament.

Little was responding to questions astir however Page had managed to participate the state astatine a clip erstwhile New Zealand had unopen its borders to non-residents successful an effort to halt the dispersed of the coronavirus.

Little told lawmakers the household had abided by applicable microorganism protocols erstwhile they arrived.

Page's residency exertion was approved astir 3 weeks later.

Immigration New Zealand noted that portion Page had go a resident, helium didn't person imperishable residency presumption and remained taxable to definite restrictions.

Still, the bureau connected its website touts the “Investor Plus” visa arsenic offering a “New Zealand lifestyle,” adding that “you whitethorn beryllium capable to bring your car, vessel and household items to New Zealand, escaped of customs charges.”

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Some section quality organizations reported that Page had since near New Zealand.

Google did not instantly respond to requests for comment.

Forbes connected Friday ranked Page arsenic the world’s sixth-wealthiest person, with a luck of $117 billion. Forbes noted that Page stepped down arsenic main enforcement of Google’s genitor institution Alphabet successful 2019 but remained a committee subordinate and controlling shareholder.

Opposition lawmakers said the occurrence raised questions astir wherefore Page was approved truthful rapidly astatine a clip erstwhile galore skilled workers oregon separated household members who were hopeless to participate New Zealand were being turned away.

“The authorities is sending a connection that wealth is much important than doctors, effect pickers and families who are separated from their children," ACT lawman person Brooke van Velden said successful a statement.

In 2017, it emerged that Silicon Valley billionaire Peter Thiel had been capable to summation New Zealand citizenship six years earlier, contempt ne'er having lived successful the country. Thiel was approved aft a apical lawmaker decided his entrepreneurial skills and philanthropy were invaluable to the nation.

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Thiel didn’t adjacent person to permission California for the ceremonial — helium was granted citizenship during a backstage ceremonial held astatine the New Zealand Consulate successful Santa Monica.

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