American billionaire Google founder Larry Page gains New Zealand residency

Money talks and bullshit walks!

Google co-founder Larry Page has gained New Zealand residency, officials confirmed today, stoking debate over whether extremely wealthy people can essentially buy access to the South Pacific country. 

The confirmation came after it was revealed yesterday that Page was allowed to travel from Fiji to New Zealand to seek medical treatment for his son, despite the Government’s closed borders policy. Opposition lawmakers said the episode raised questions about why Page's request was approved so quickly at a time when many skilled workers or separated family members who were desperate to enter New Zealand were being turned away.

'The government is sending a message that money is more important than doctors, fruit pickers and families who are separated from their children,' ACT deputy leader Brooke van Velden said in a statement.

Page is the world's sixth wealthiest person with a fortune of $117 billion. Immigration New Zealand said Page first applied for residency in November under a special visa open to people with at least 10 million New Zealand dollars ($7 million) to invest. 

'As he was offshore at the time, his application was not able to be processed because of COVID-19 restrictions,' the agency said in a statement. 'Once Mr. Page entered New Zealand, his application was able to be processed and it was approved on 4 February 2021.' 

Gaining New Zealand residency would not necessarily affect Page's residency status in the U.S. or any other nations. 

New Zealand lawmakers confirmed that Page and his son first arrived in New Zealand in January after the family filed an urgent application for the son to be evacuated from Fiji due to a medical emergency.

Pagenhas been isolating from the rest of the world by buying remote Fijian islands!