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Singapore vs New Zealand: trust jurisdictions side by side
Singapore and New Zealand are two of the 40 places we cover. Both are in Asia Pacific and open for new trusts with us. The table sets out the facts we hold for each place side by side, with the source and date of every fact.
The table
Facts side by side
Shaded cells differ between the two places.
Rows we have not published for a place are listed below the table.
| Fact |  Singapore |  New Zealand |
|---|---|---|
| Governing law | Trustees Act 1967: duty of care (Part 1A), investments (Part 2), powers (Part 3) | Trusts Act 2019, in force from 30 January 2021, and the common law |
| Perpetuity period | 100 years, or a shorter period set in the instrument (Civil Law Act, section 32) | Perpetuity period is 125 years (Trusts Act 2019) |
| Trustee requirement | Trust business is restricted (section 3); exempt persons are listed (section 15) | A New Zealand foreign trust must have one or more resident trustees |
Not published for Singapore: registration and international trust means. Ask us.
Not published for New Zealand: foreign law rules and reserved settlor powers. Ask us.
This is guidance, not legal or tax advice. Every fact has a source, listed under Sources with its date.
Keep exploring
Read each place in full
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Sources
Read on :
- Singapore Statutes Online: Trustees Act 1967. Used for governing law.
- New Zealand Legislation: Trusts Act 2019. Used for governing law, perpetuity period.
- Civil Law Act 1909. Used for perpetuity period.
- Trust Companies Act 2005. Used for trustee requirement.
- Inland Revenue: Register a New Zealand foreign trust. Used for trustee requirement.
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