New Zealand Passes Ban on Foreign Homebuyers Into Law

New Zealand Passes Ban on Foreign Homebuyers Into Law
File photo: Residential houses are seen in Wellington, New Zealand, July 1, 2017. Reuters/David Gray/File Photo
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WELLINGTON—New Zealand’s parliament passed a law on Aug. 15 to ban many non-resident foreigners from buying existing homes, completing the Labour-led government’s election campaign pledge.

Jacinda Ardern, New Zealand’s popular 38-year-old prime minister, campaigned before September’s election on a promise to clamp down on house price growth and reduce high rates of homelessness, in part by banning foreign buyers.