Housing became a major campaign issue for an election last year that ended the National Party government's near decade in power and landed Jacinda Ardern the premiership in a surprise result. "The data clearly shows buyers from China have been anxious to complete their transactions in advance of the rules," said Carrie Law, CEO and Director of Juwai.com. "In the long run, rules for work visas and permanent residency are more important for Chinese buying in New Zealand than are foreign buyer restrictions. Most Chinese buyers here are purchasing for their own use while living in New Zealand," she said, reports Business Times (23 October 2018).