Investor Identity Requirements
Comprehensive guide to identity verification and wholesale investor certification for foreign investors in the Mana Tupu NZ Venture Fund.
Important: Mana Tupu NZ Venture Fund is only open to Wholesale Investors as defined under the Financial Markets Conduct Act 2013. All investors must also complete identity verification under New Zealand's Anti-Money Laundering and Countering Financing of Terrorism Act 2009.
Identity Verification (AML/CFT Act 2009)
Foreign investors require Enhanced Customer Due Diligence under New Zealand's AML/CFT framework. This applies to non-resident clients and ensures compliance with international anti-money laundering standards.
Primary Identity Documents
One of the following is required:
- Overseas passport or similar international travel document containing name, date of birth, photograph, and signature, issued by a foreign government, the United Nations, or a UN agency
- National identity card issued for identification purposes containing name, date of birth, photograph, and signature or biometric identifier
Secondary/Supporting Documents
One of the following is required:
- Foreign government-issued driver licence
- Bank statement or utility bill (not more than 12 months old) showing current residential address
- Credit reference or identity verification from a bank registered in a country with sufficient AML/CFT systems
Certification Requirements
All certified documents must include the name, signature, and date of certification. The trusted referee must specify their capacity. Documents must be certified within three months prior to submission.
Acceptable Certifiers
- New Zealand authorised financial advisor
- New Zealand lawyer
- New Zealand or Australian chartered accountant
- Notary public or equivalent in your jurisdiction
Source of Funds Documentation
Enhanced CDD requires verification of the source of funds for your investment. Required documents include:
- Bank statements (3–6 months minimum; 6–12 months for higher-risk situations)
- Annual returns, tax returns, or investment portfolio summaries
- Evidence of employment or business income
- Sale proceeds documentation (if from asset disposal)
- Inheritance documentation (if applicable)
Source of Wealth Documentation
Documentation demonstrating the origin of your overall assets may include:
- Personal or corporate financial statements
- Property valuations or title documents
- Business ownership evidence
- Professional valuation reports
Wholesale Investor Status (FMCA 2013)
Foreign investors must qualify under one of the following categories in Schedule 1, Clause 3 of the Financial Markets Conduct Act 2013:
You qualify as a large investor if you and your controlled entities, as at the last day of each of the last 2 financial years, have:
Net assets exceeding NZ$5,000,000 or Total turnover exceeding NZ$5,000,000
Documents Required
- Audited financial statements (2 years)
- Certified net asset statement
- Signed Wholesale Investor Certificate (Safe Harbour form)
You meet the investment activity criteria if you own, control, or have acquired a portfolio of Specified Financial Products with an aggregate value of:
At least NZ$1,000,000 over the last 2 years
Documents Required
- Portfolio statements demonstrating NZ$1M+ holdings
- Transaction records showing acquisition history
- Signed Wholesale Investor Certificate
You qualify as an investment business if your principal business is investing in, trading in, underwriting, or providing financial advisor or broker services in relation to financial products.
Documents Required
- Business registration or incorporation documents
- Licence or regulatory registration (in home jurisdiction)
- Evidence of principal business activity
- Signed Wholesale Investor Certificate
You can self-certify as an eligible investor if you have sufficient experience in acquiring or disposing of financial products to assess the merits of an investment, your information needs, and the adequacy of information provided.
Documents Required
- Completed Eligible Investor Certificate containing grounds for certification (prior investment experience) and statement of understanding consequences
- Independent confirmation from a New Zealand authorised financial advisor, New Zealand lawyer, or New Zealand/Australian chartered accountant
Note: The stated grounds must demonstrate a clear connection between your prior experience in acquiring or disposing of financial products and the transaction to which the certificate relates.
You qualify as a wholesale investor by committing to invest:
At least NZ$750,000 in the offer
Documents Required
- Evidence of available funds
- Signed acknowledgment of wholesale investor status
Corporate & Trust Investors
For Companies
AML/CFT regulations require verification of proof of existence, beneficial owners, and ownership/control structures for corporate investors.
- Certificate of incorporation
- Constitutional documents (memorandum and articles of association)
- Register of directors and shareholders
- Beneficial ownership declaration (all persons with >25% ownership or control)
- Board resolution authorising the investment
- Identity verification for all beneficial owners and authorised signatories
For Trusts
- Trust deed (and any amendments)
- Identification of all trustees (individual identity verification required)
- Identification of settlors
- Beneficiary schedule (or description of classes for discretionary trusts)
- Trust resolution authorising the investment
Document Checklist Summary
| Requirement | Individual | Company | Trust |
|---|---|---|---|
| Passport/National ID (certified) | ✓ | For each beneficial owner | For each trustee |
| Proof of Address | ✓ | Registered office | Trust address |
| Source of Funds | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Source of Wealth | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Wholesale Investor Certificate | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Professional Confirmation (if Eligible Investor) | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Constitutional Documents | — | ✓ | ✓ |
| Beneficial Ownership Declaration | — | ✓ | ✓ |
| Authorising Resolution | — | ✓ | ✓ |
Regulatory Framework
These requirements are based on the Financial Markets Conduct Act 2013 (wholesale investor provisions in Schedule 1) and the Anti-Money Laundering and Countering Financing of Terrorism Act 2009 (customer due diligence requirements).
Mana Tupu NZ Venture Fund is a reporting entity supervised by the Financial Markets Authority (FMA) for AML/CFT compliance purposes.