Google co-founder Larry Page gets New Zealand residency as big investor, sparks debate

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Google co-founder Larry Page, the 6th richest person on the planet, has become a resident of New Zealand under a category for wealthy investors sparking criticism from opposition political parties, according to reports in the local media.</p>
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Opposition politicians said the episode raised questions about why Page was approved so quickly just because of his wealth at a time when many skilled workers or separated family members who were desperate to enter New Zealand were being turned away.</p>
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"Larry Page submitted an application for residence under the Investor Plus Category on 3 November 2020," Immigration New Zealand said in a statement on Saturday.</p>
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"As he was offshore at the time his application was not able to be processed because of COVID-19 restrictions. Once Mr. Page entered New Zealand his application was able to be processed and it was approved on 4 February 2021."</p>
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The visa requires applicants to have USD 7 million to invest in New Zealand over a three-year period.</p>
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New Zealand closed its borders to visitors at the start of the pandemic. It  allows only a limited number of returnees, requiring them to go through a 14-day quarantine. It has been the most successful country in containing the dreaded Covid-19 pandemic.</p>
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When asked in parliament on what grounds Page was allowed entry into the country while the borders were closed, Health Minister Andrew Little explained that it was a permissible medical emergency application for Page's son to be evacuated from Fiji in early January and the entire protocol in relation to COVID-19 was complied with.</p>
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Page figures at the sixth spot on Forbes rich list, with a fortune of $117 billion. Forbes noted that Page stepped down as chief executive of Google’s parent company Alphabet in 2019 but remained a board member and controlling shareholder.</p>