Some of California’s wealthiest residents are fleeing the Golden State’s punishing policies for the snow-capped Southern Alps in New Zealand.

A surge of wealthy Americans, particularly Californians, are snapping up “golden visas,” where they pay at least NZ$5 million — roughly $2.9 million — to secure the right to live, work and study in the country, the Financial Times reports.

A separate program requires a NZ$10 million, or about US$5.7 million, investment in passive assets.

More than 700 wealthy foreigners have applied under the revamped programs in just 14 months, compared with 115 applications during the previous three years.

Since the…

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