Does the sponsor need to be the owner of the business to show income in New Zealand?

No, the sponsor does not need to be the owner of a business to show income for your New Zealand student visa application. What matters is that they can provide credible proof of a stable and sufficient income.

This can include pay slips, employment letters confirming their position, salary, and duration of employment, along with recent bank statements and income tax returns. Ownership of a business is not mandatory as long as the financial documents clearly demonstrate their ability to support you.