An assessment of New Zealand as a possible region for global companies to carry out international relocation

When the US congress agreed a plan last month to ensure that the country would not default on its existing debt, many observers would have felt that the crisis was over.

However, several reports in the weeks since a deal was reached have suggested that investor confidence in the US generally has been hit hard and there is a feeling that the crisis is over but the consequences will continue to be felt around the globe.

The US dollar is such an important part of the global economic structure that when its value is threatened, the effects can be far reaching.

One country with significant interest in the US debt crisis which has taken steps to safeguard themselves is New Zealand.

This financial prudence has brought many admirers, and may lead a number of companies to consider international relocation of staff to the area to see if they can benefit from the country’s growth.

The New Zealand Finance Minister, Bill English, has suggested that the nation is “better placed than many other countries” to deal with any further fallout from the crisis.

“Despite a compromise deal being reached in Washington, there is no doubt the situation in the United States is serious – both for the US itself and the global economy.

“Our financial system and our economy are both in better shape than a few years ago to manage global market uncertainties. This reflects improvements in market regulations and an economy that is growing.”

It is certainly a bullish statement from a country which has recently carried out a major reform of its tax system. The new system is designed to discourage borrowing and consumption, tightening tax rules on property speculation generally.

Such confidence could potentially catch the eye of global investors who are constantly on the lookout for an untapped, emerging market.

Cities such as Auckland and Wellington are particularly attractive for relocation purposes, combining the necessary features of a thriving economy with the unique beauty of a country which prides itself on its rural heritage.