It generally takes up to 17 months (varies from time to time) to process your resident application under Investor I category, including the 12 months period to complete your investment in New Zealand. Once you have been approved a resident visa, it will take 3 years from the date you complete your investment in NZ before you can be granted an unconditional resident visa. Once you have had your resident visa for at least 5 years, you will be eligible to apply for NZ Citizenship. To be eligible for New Zealand citizenship by grant, you must have: (1) New Zealand residence (i.e. hold a residence permit, a residence visa, or a permanent residence visa issued by Immigration New Zealand, or you are an Australian citizen or permanent resident); and (2) had New Zealand residence for the last five years; and (3) lived in New Zealand for at least 1350 days - with New Zealand residence - during the five years immediately before your application; and (4) lived in New Zealand for at least 240 days - with New Zealand residence - in each of those five years. Hope this has answered your question.
