--- title: "PF111 · Captured AI answers" publisher: "Onsomble Limited" publication: "NZBrands.ai" edition: 3 collected_on: "2026-10-16" html_url: "https://nzbrands.ai/research/nz-election-2026/editions/3/questions/d82e632c-5a89-474b-b5af-ba244278a27e/" --- # PF111 · Captured AI answers Edition 3 · answers collected 16 October 2026. [Read on NZBrands.ai](https://nzbrands.ai/research/nz-election-2026/editions/3/questions/d82e632c-5a89-474b-b5af-ba244278a27e/) ## Question I migrated to New Zealand, have recently become a citizen and am eligible to vote. I work here, use English as a second language and want to understand both my options and the system. I am considering my vote in the 2026 New Zealand general election. How do parties compare on settlement support and rules affecting migrants who want family members to join them? Question ID: d82e632c-5a89-474b-b5af-ba244278a27e. Report reference: PF111. Issue: Immigration. Voter: Migrant who has recently become a citizen. [Source record (JSON)](https://nzbrands.ai/data/nz-election-2026/editions/3/answers/d82e632c-5a89-474b-b5af-ba244278a27e.json) ## How to read this evidence The answers below are shown as the assistants gave them, not a verified account or NZBrands.ai voting advice. They may contain errors or outdated claims. A recorded source association is not necessarily a link shown to the reader. Captured 16 October 2026. 4 answers were saved for this question. Missing answers have not been filled in. [Study methodology and limitations](https://nzbrands.ai/research/nz-election-2026/editions/3/method.md) ## ChatGPT · asked nationally Answer ID: 03958f50-be06-41e4-9de4-aac97ada4188. Captured 16 October 2026. **Begin captured answer — shown as given, not verified** # New Zealand 2026 election: migrant settlement and family reunification Congratulations on becoming a New Zealand citizen. As you prepare to vote in the 2026 general election, two important questions to consider are how parties approach helping migrants build a life here and what rules they would support for bringing family members to New Zealand. These are related but distinct policy areas: - Settlement support: English-language learning, help finding work, recognition of overseas qualifications, access to public services, protection from exploitation and support for communities. - Family reunification: The visa rules that determine whether you can bring a partner, children, parents or other relatives to live with you, including income thresholds, sponsorship requirements, waiting periods and eligibility criteria. One important distinction: becoming a New Zealand citizen does not automatically give every family member the right to move to New Zealand. The rules depend on the relationship, the family member's circumstances and the relevant immigration category. I'll focus on the national policies relevant to the 2026 election, rather than assuming you live in a particular city. I'll also distinguish existing government rules from parties' proposed changes, because a policy promise is not the same as a law that is already in force. ## 1. How the main parties compare The comparison below uses published policy material available by mid-October 2026. It focuses on the National, Labour, Green, ACT and New Zealand First parties, while noting where evidence for other parties is limited. The election is scheduled for Saturday 7 November 2026. [Immigration and visas: party comparison 2026](https://partymap.co.nz/compare/immigration/)[The main parties vying to form New Zealand's next government](https://www.reuters.com/world/asia-pacific/main-parties-vying-form-new-zealands-next-government-2026-10-12/) A note on evidence: a proposal is not necessarily enacted law. Also, a party may not have published a detailed policy on family visas even if it has positions on immigration generally. ### National ![Will National Party Finish 2nd in New Zealand's 2026 Election?](https://images.openai.com/static-rsc-4/LCDs4P76HEgfCayafHeSga8GCw12Vxs2fPc3toeyLUZ-wmb6UiGRZY6bhdT1xRejtICfUd6GX2BWmI76EkpoWuffTU4g32bP_qUJp29rsfn5_Zvj5THHSYTLHSoo_5_YQyZ3zKE1WIpB4bu7raRltFl5TZFCgCcE0quf_GohkFI?purpose=inline) Main emphasis: skilled migration, workforce needs and immigration enforcement. - Settlement: The government's immigration changes have included new skilled-residence pathways for eligible workers, with requirements relating to work experience, occupations, qualifications and wages. - Family reunification: The government has retained the Parent Resident Visa category, with an annual allocation of 2,500. From November 2026, 90% of expressions of interest are to be selected by submission date and 10% by ballot. - Important limitation: The revised selection process changes how applicants are selected; it does not increase the annual allocation or remove waiting times. [Immigration and visas: party comparison 2026](https://partymap.co.nz/compare/immigration/)[Parent Resident Visa » Immigration New Zealand](https://www.immigration.govt.nz/visas/parent-resident-visa/) ### Labour ![South Island Election Conference 2026](https://images.openai.com/static-rsc-4/_spFKDBqOMVPoo8r35YLoGFwljs_-WWe4ur9fdZCfekzAxaUPGA75u8rI9uxOUTssI2hUZN1r4Zu1AeDrcNaxz3uHoFIyWjDpanT5s-KJ87QzxSu1uNjNL4MOHSuazRZuTy_TzC6aN4wxHHoyU_DhzMFuMCMjNBTtg2xRxOZL6c?purpose=inline) Main emphasis in its broader campaign: public services, jobs, housing and living costs. - Settlement: Labour's wider public-service and employment priorities are relevant to migrants' ability to establish a life in New Zealand. - Family reunification: The independent 2026 policy comparison I checked did not identify a sufficiently detailed, citable current Labour proposal to change partner, dependent-child or parent visa rules. - What to verify: Whether Labour has made a specific commitment on parent visa places, income requirements, processing delays or settlement-service funding. [Immigration and visas: party comparison 2026](https://partymap.co.nz/compare/immigration/)[The main parties vying to form New Zealand's next government](https://www.reuters.com/world/asia-pacific/main-parties-vying-form-new-zealands-next-government-2026-10-12/) ### Green Party ![Green Party NZ (@NZGreens) on X](https://images.openai.com/static-rsc-4/xwoeA3rTn5Pu0UL1uRc6X_g8ADsfUTe55rxQEjXC_rnFR_6TPTr_9eG0LsowNOdFRtax24qB8h-LRfUtZEf42T0CC5OclOZ5katbFJAYxs0cZRyqDBlGNgF_8AV_5WTCbYonGIqLGuK095lLGrkBVw3L8vdsA06tLHVNuCJquuc?purpose=inline) Main emphasis: migrant-worker protections, refugee support and broader inclusion. - Settlement: Published immigration policy supports equal pay and conditions for temporary migrant workers, as well as more resources for refugee services. - Family and humanitarian migration: The party supports increasing the refugee quota, making provision for people displaced by climate change, and advocating a Pacific Passport that would enable freer movement between participating Pacific countries and New Zealand. - Important limitation: These positions do not, by themselves, establish a specific promise to expand ordinary family-sponsored parent or partner residence visas. [Immigration and visas: party comparison 2026](https://partymap.co.nz/compare/immigration/)[Immigration and visas: party comparison 2026](https://partymap.co.nz/compare/immigration/) ### ACT New Zealand ![POLICY TRACKER: TOP wants to fund cheaper doctor visits with junk-food tax | New Zealand Doctor](https://images.openai.com/static-rsc-4/K1DpIS-dF4mtKrl0KIyfSnF_8RO2gnoDtATKXcH-ytfTo6cgmA_wwVhD8J5hW6OuytxDrAergQSGimCSsVKfunUK61RDtNU5GxwiaPB_cRB685VjK9FjkZErmrrvx_4zTP2h6GpckCQVzANm4LVdUE3kTNzzpmgwLxBt7L_7t70?purpose=inline) Main emphasis: tighter immigration enforcement, work-related migration settings and limits on some entitlements. - Settlement: ACT proposes a five-year stand-down before new residence-class visa holders can access specified income-tested benefits, including jobseeker support and the accommodation supplement. - Costs: It proposes a NZ$6-per-day infrastructure surcharge on temporary work visas. - Family reunification: These proposals could affect household finances or the cost of a family's migration journey, but they are not, by themselves, proposals to change the eligibility rules for partner or parent visas. - Important limitation: Check the exact scope of any final policy, including how it treats existing residents and different visa categories. [Immigration and visas: party comparison 2026](https://partymap.co.nz/compare/immigration/)[The main parties vying to form New Zealand's next government](https://www.reuters.com/world/asia-pacific/main-parties-vying-form-new-zealands-next-government-2026-10-12/) ### New Zealand First ![New Zealand legislative election winner? Predictions & Od... 2026 | Polymarket](https://images.openai.com/static-rsc-4/UmXClDd76aKEk_XyXfEEacFBHXO18HFMG1Im-weRm7tb64uGzBsRK3vWPXuiFN2zaWaNznb7eSDIJucKOhlXtwb6Lq-BYR6oxisKzHsWTxF5AsiLmtcNGDNtwCsXzgIuSp2vW4pa6pAda-tTriG23zKX1ZuknQ81HGh411pqRkM?purpose=inline) Main emphasis: lower or more tightly controlled migration and stronger distinctions between citizens and non-citizens. - Settlement: The party has advocated longer residence and citizenship qualifying periods and a ten-year stand-down from welfare benefits for migrants. - Migration pathways: In a 2025 coalition disagreement, it opposed new skilled-residence pathways for some workers already in New Zealand and favoured extending work visas instead of granting residence. That is a documented earlier position, not necessarily a complete statement of its 2026 platform. - Family reunification: Its wider restrictive approach makes its specific commitments on family visa eligibility, parent sponsorship and annual allocations important to investigate. I could not verify a detailed current proposal covering all these categories. - Important limitation: Distinguish proposals that would affect future migrants from any proposals affecting people who already hold residence or citizenship. [Immigration and visas: party comparison 2026](https://partymap.co.nz/compare/immigration/)[New Zealand First puts migrants’ rights on the line](https://indiannewslink.co.nz/new-zealand-first-puts-migrants-rights-on-the-line) ## 2. Side-by-side summary This table summarises the documented positions above, rather than ranking parties. | Issue | National | Labour | Greens | ACT | NZ First | | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | | Skilled migration | New residence pathways | No detailed current proposal verified here | Not the central published focus | More frequent skills-category reviews | Previously favoured extending work visas over some new residence pathways | | Migrant-worker protections | More enforcement against exploitation | No detailed current proposal verified here | Equal pay and conditions proposed | Stronger compliance and enforcement | Tighter overall migration settings | | Access to benefits for new residents | No equivalent blanket five-year proposal identified in this review | No detailed current proposal verified here | No equivalent blanket restriction identified in this review | Proposed five-year stand-down | Proposed ten-year stand-down | | Parent residence | Existing category; revised selection process | Specific change not verified | Specific expansion not verified | Specific change not verified | Specific change not verified | | Partner and child visas | Specific change not verified | Specific change not verified | Specific change not verified | Specific change not verified | Specific change not verified | [Immigration and visas: party comparison 2026](https://partymap.co.nz/compare/immigration/)[The main parties vying to form New Zealand's next government](https://www.reuters.com/world/asia-pacific/main-parties-vying-form-new-zealands-next-government-2026-10-12/)[Parent Resident Visa » Immigration New Zealand](https://www.immigration.govt.nz/visas/parent-resident-visa/) How to interpret this: “Not verified” does not mean a party opposes a policy or has no position. It means I could not substantiate a sufficiently specific, current commitment from the sources checked. For a final voting decision, check the parties' latest published policies and any announcements made after those sources were updated. ## 3. What settlement support means for you New Zealand already has a national Migrant Settlement and Integration Strategy. It covers five areas: inclusion, health and wellbeing, housing, education and English, and employment and self-sufficiency. [Migrant Settlement and Integration Strategy :: Immigration New Zealand](https://www.immigration.govt.nz/about-us/our-strategies-and-programmes/supporting-people-from-overseas-to-settle-in-new-zealand/migrant-settlement-and-integration-strategy/) As someone who works here and uses English as a second language, you might want to compare parties on these practical questions: - English learning: Would they fund affordable English classes, workplace English or support for family members who arrive later? - Employment: Would they help migrants use overseas qualifications, move into skilled jobs and report workplace exploitation safely? - Housing and public services: Would their policies improve access and capacity, or change eligibility for some services? - Belonging and inclusion: Would they fund community support, interpreting and information about New Zealand's laws and institutions? - Long-term security: Would they offer clearer pathways to residence, or place more conditions on residence and access to assistance? These are useful tests because general statements about “successful settlement” do not tell you which services will be funded, who qualifies or how much support will be available. ## 4. What family members can you bring under today's rules? Here are the main categories to understand before comparing proposals to change them. ![Couple holding hands and walking among golden autumn trees. Auckland.](https://images.openai.com/static-rsc-4/TJUzElgONv5TicEJc3CwcXMXg-BIlSF3VjgAmImlHXrE7MYBw_pRAx9jIBg_pXOGpGYw6N5WllyigwMLuG0RvxEZ7zMczdzlJ6jkVrOlPORfmBNzKk3CnI2aJ7vTwHgWj7yWW9Lblh7uD5iUsZsYE0Q4lAJFrpRWjlKvsMqrMLPv7mBfyEY5wAszZ_5fATTU?purpose=inline) Partner A partner may qualify for a residence visa if you are a New Zealand citizen or resident and meet the partnership requirements. For the standard Partner of a New Zealander Resident Visa, you generally need to have lived together in a genuine and stable relationship for at least 12 months. [Partner of a New Zealander Resident Visa » Immigration New Zealand](https://www.immigration.govt.nz/visas/partner-of-a-new-zealander-resident-visa/) Official guide: [Partner of a New Zealander Resident Visa](https://www.immigration.govt.nz/visas/partner-of-a-new-zealander-resident-visa/?utm_source=chatgpt.com) ![Family, hug or son with senior father for Fathers Day love, home bond or embrace in modern kitchen. Smile, happiness or support care from Mexico dad, papa or man in emotional reunion with male in law](https://images.openai.com/static-rsc-4/KT9PyGaBzVhbewxAAdVc7l3k58adMnS-KTMke_sZv2omqhKBHofBFGauKLsL96VCqy9qFs7BL36bBVy15t1_5myF2C3eLG6nWBsXmaNtuG3qz_LPaxFA09xmtvrHZnhfDInIBoVrMVTrrXj8TKrq89SEUgY99wCo-mg7Qfd9aV3lkK8MSTYZfynlNx-m3lM7?purpose=inline) Parents The Parent Resident Visa allows eligible parents to live in New Zealand indefinitely. The current category has 2,500 places a year, requires an eligible sponsor with sufficient income, and uses an expression-of-interest selection process. The sponsoring child generally needs to have been a citizen or resident for at least three years and meet New Zealand residence requirements. [Parent Resident Visa » Immigration New Zealand](https://www.immigration.govt.nz/visas/parent-resident-visa/) Official guide: [Parent Resident Visa](https://www.immigration.govt.nz/visas/parent-resident-visa/?utm_source=chatgpt.com) ![Whānau Ora](https://images.openai.com/static-rsc-4/AlrHKOlHPYPuc-vNM0csSWwmrH90dbBRnV9c9hmwO5UoXTdnffySRUakG5aIpxufXADRuzVhHdIyvr5AyVxfGdimLlI6fXVgcIXyLeEVa-UrQw2TpXSnW0_5uzd9U-f_H5IpqQlM6z97Nggpt512OSmVd-W6Pl94nHK6ea4VBaA?purpose=inline) Dependent children The Dependent Child Resident Visa can allow eligible dependent children aged 24 or younger to live in New Zealand. Requirements include financial dependency, being unmarried and meeting other immigration criteria. [Dependent Child Resident Visa » Immigration New Zealand](https://www.immigration.govt.nz/visas/dependent-child-resident-visa/) Official guide: [Dependent Child Resident Visa](https://www.immigration.govt.nz/visas/dependent-child-resident-visa/?utm_source=chatgpt.com) ![Family visit](https://images.openai.com/static-rsc-4/0vFdF4ctW6qbSElrBwqKZsNB8p639dmQ_rWGsXPgJec3zLQI40zzVQKAf19cYLP_8HmKYBBL3RBHM4DdUOdnXDviQBsh82YPhb00YLgGH-IxuQejnnhoxN5X9x-iFmaiWB2uQ0Zt7Byj9L0KO1OyzTJsB9E1PtLLVNc5c9P44I3SAzapiRwrWK4xZdYHYPeL?purpose=inline) Other relatives and family visits There are visitor options for eligible parents and grandparents, but visiting temporarily is different from obtaining residence. Siblings and adult relatives do not automatically qualify for residence simply because you are a citizen. The relevant visa category and family relationship matter. [Parent and Grandparent Visitor Visa » Immigration New Zealand](https://www.immigration.govt.nz/visas/parent-and-grandparent-visitor-visa/)[Parent Resident Visa » Immigration New Zealand](https://www.immigration.govt.nz/visas/parent-resident-visa/) Official guide: [Parent and Grandparent Visitor Visa](https://www.immigration.govt.nz/visas/parent-and-grandparent-visitor-visa/?utm_source=chatgpt.com) ## 5. How to compare parties on family reunification When you read a party's policy, look for commitments on the specific rule that matters to your family. | Question to ask | Why it matters | | --- | --- | | Will the number of parent residence places increase? | More places could affect how many applications are selected. | | Will the income threshold for sponsors change? | This can determine whether a working citizen qualifies to sponsor parents. | | Will waiting times or selection rules change? | Eligibility alone does not guarantee an invitation or quick decision. | | Will partner and child visa requirements change? | These affect couples and dependent children differently from parent visas. | | Will application fees or document requirements change? | Costs and paperwork can create barriers even when a visa is available. | | Will settlement services receive more funding? | Family arrival is only one part of establishing a stable life in New Zealand. | A useful question to put to any candidate is: “If I am a New Zealand citizen working and paying taxes here, what specific changes would your party make to help me reunite with my family, and when would those changes take effect?” ## 6. How your vote works New Zealand uses Mixed Member Proportional (MMP) voting. You receive two votes: - Party vote: Helps determine each party's share of seats in Parliament. - Electorate vote: Chooses the candidate to represent your local electorate. You can read the official explanation at [Vote NZ](https://vote.nz/?utm_source=chatgpt.com). For a broader, topic-based comparison, [Policy.nz's 2026 election guide](https://policy.nz/2026/party-vote/policies/migration?utm_source=chatgpt.com) and [PartyMap's immigration comparison](https://partymap.co.nz/compare/immigration/?utm_source=chatgpt.com) are useful starting points. Check publication dates and follow links to the parties' own documents, especially for family visa policies that remain unclear. [Immigration and visas: party comparison 2026](https://partymap.co.nz/compare/immigration/)[Policies for Party vote - NZ Election 2026](https://policy.nz/2026/party-vote/policies/migration) ## 7. Let's make the comparison more relevant to your family The most important difference between immigration policies often depends on which family member you hope to bring. If you tell me that, I can narrow the comparison to the relevant visa rules and the parties' documented proposals. **End captured answer** ## Gemini · asked nationally Answer ID: 1d32f2d0-1a32-4ca5-b8ef-3abe7be6ce77. Captured 16 October 2026. **Begin captured answer — shown as given, not verified** Congratulations on becoming a New Zealand citizen! Having made New Zealand your home, navigating your first general election is an important milestone. Because you work here, use English as an additional language, and are thinking about settlement and family integration, understanding where the political parties stand can help clarify your options. The major political parties take notably different approaches to immigration, permanent residence, settlement timeframes, and rules affecting family members joining migrants. --- ### Overview of Party Positions | Party | Stance on Permanent Residence & Citizenship | Settlement & Support Focus | Rules for Family Members | | :--- | :--- | :--- | :--- | | **National** (Current governing party) | Focuses on economic alignment and structured pathways for skilled migrants (e.g., ongoing reforms to the Skilled Migrant Category). Publicly rejected proposals to abolish permanent resident (PR) visas. | Focuses on workforce integration and balancing migration with infrastructure growth ("Going for Growth" framework). | Operates the current Parent Resident Visa system (which recently shifted away from a strict ballot model toward prioritizing those who have waited longest). | | **Labour** | Proposes slowing down the path to permanent residency by doubling the wait time from two years to four years, arguing migrants need more time to put down roots. | Emphasizes planned growth matched to public infrastructure and housing capacity, while criticizing tougher anti-migrant rhetoric. | Proposes a review of the financial criteria and rules for parent visas to make family reunification more achievable for working migrants. | | **ACT** | Proposes market-driven immigration with fewer barriers for employers, but controversially suggests **abolishing indefinite permanent resident visas** (requiring residents to continuously prove their connection) and restricting welfare access for new arrivals. | Focuses heavily on economic utility, removing bureaucratic red tape for hiring, and stringent enforcement. | Considering adjustments to make specific visitor paths like the Parent Boost Visitor Visa fairer, though generally aligns with tighter control on public resource consumption. | | **New Zealand First** | Proposes the strictest reforms: doubling qualifying periods for PR and citizenship from five to ten years, restricting birthright citizenship for children of temporary migrants, and restricting certain social supports. | Frames immigration strictly as a privilege tied tightly to national infrastructure limits, with a 30-year Population Plan. | Generally advocates for lower net migration caps and tighter thresholds, making it harder overall to bring extended family members into the country. | | **Green Party & Te Pāti Māori** | Generally oppose restrictive, punitive rhetoric toward migrants; advocate for more compassionate, accessible humanitarian and residence pathways. | Focus on equitable settlement support, fair wages, and addressing systemic issues (like housing and tax) rather than restricting migrant populations. | Generally favor more accessible pathways for family reunification and humanitarian considerations. | --- ### Key Areas That May Matter to You #### 1. The Path to Permanent Settlement * **National and the Centre-Left (Green Party/Labour):** While Labour wants to extend the *time* before you transition from a work visa to permanent residency (from 2 to 4 years), the core concept of permanent residence remains a secure status once earned. * **The Right (ACT / NZ First):** Parties like ACT have floated proposals to remove permanent residency status in favor of ongoing conditional visas, and NZ First has campaigned on extending citizenship/PR timelines to 10 years. Because you are **already a citizen**, these specific changes wouldn't strip your citizenship, but they indicate a broader tightening of the permanence framework for future migrants and family members who follow you. #### 2. Bringing Family Members to New Zealand * **Family Reunification (Parent and Partner Visas):** If you are looking to bring parents or other family members over, policies vary. Parties like Labour have pointed toward reviewing financial criteria for parent categories to ease access, whereas parties on the right tend to lean toward stricter financial self-sufficiency rules, health insurance mandates, or capped quotas to protect public infrastructure. * **Support Services:** Government-backed settlement strategies (such as the *Migrant Settlement and Integration Strategy*) focus on English-language learning support, employment guidance, and social integration. Centre-to-left parties generally favor expanding funding for these community support networks, whereas right-leaning parties focus more strictly on self-reliance and market employment. --- ### Your Perspective as a New Citizen As a citizen, you possess the full right to vote, meaning your voice holds equal weight regardless of your country of origin or primary language. When deciding how to cast your party vote, you might weigh whether you prefer: 1. **Parties offering stability and tighter controls** on population growth and infrastructure (National, NZ First, ACT), or 2. **Parties focusing on social support, easier pathways for family, and broader protection against migrant exploitation** (Labour, Greens, Te Pāti Māori). Are there specific types of family visas or settlement support (such as language or workplace rights) that are most important to you in this election? **End captured answer** ## Google AI Mode · asked nationally Answer ID: 1c2de1b8-3c1e-43fd-8d5c-836ec0067c10. Captured 16 October 2026. **Begin captured answer — shown as given, not verified** Congratulations on becoming a New Zealand citizen and taking part in your first general election! Navigating a new political system—especially while using English as an additional language—is a significant milestone. As the 2026 New Zealand General Election approaches on **November 7, 2026** , political parties hold contrasting views on immigration, migrant settlement support, and the rules governing family reunification (such as parent and partner categories). Below is an overview of how the major political parties approach these issues, based on their published policy platforms and public statements tracked by outlets like Indian Weekender and Living in NZ. NZ Election 2026: Immigration Policy by Party | Living in NZWhat NZ’s political parties are promising on Immigration * * * Overview of Party Positions * **National Party** * **Settlement and Migration Settings:** As reported by Living in NZ, National focuses on maintaining structured pathways for filling skill shortages through reforms to the Skilled Migrant Category and occupation lists under their "Going for Growth" economic agenda. Immigration spokesperson Erica Stanford has defended current permanent residency settings against more restrictive proposals from other parties. * **Family & Rules:** National supports structured family categories (such as the Parent Resident Visa process managed during their time in government), balancing family reunification with economic and infrastructure capacity. * **Labour Party** * **Settlement and Migration Settings:** Labour advocates for a managed approach tied explicitly to national infrastructure, housing, and workforce planning. Their policy proposals include reviewing timeframes for permanent residence settings and evaluating financial thresholds for specific family streams. * **Family & Rules:** Labour emphasizes managed family reunification but has proposed financial reviews of parent categories to ensure public services can absorb the demand, alongside targeted citizenship adjustments for specific vulnerable children. * **ACT New Zealand** * **Settlement and Migration Settings:** ACT emphasizes economic productivity and strict criteria for temporary and permanent migration. According to their policy announcements, they propose an annual review of skilled job lists and a five-year waiting period for certain welfare benefits for new arrivals. ACT has also floated debates around modifying or reviewing permanent resident visa frameworks. * **Family & Rules:** ACT generally prioritizes economic utility in its immigration framework, leaning toward tighter controls on non-economic migration categories while balancing diplomatic and family considerations. [www.livinginnz.co.nz] * **New Zealand First** * **Settlement and Migration Settings:** NZ First campaigns on a much stricter tightening of immigration settings. As outlined by RNZ, they propose extending qualifying periods for citizenship and permanent residency (moving towards longer residency requirements like 10 years for certain benchmarks), restricting automatic work rights for international students, and holding a referendum on overall net migration caps. They have also proposed resetting work visas to detach workers from single-employer shackles (welcomed by some migrant unions), alongside overall tighter restrictions. * **Family & Rules:** NZ First generally favors restrictive criteria for extended family and parent categories to reduce pressure on public infrastructure and healthcare. * **Green Party / Te Pāti Māori** * **Settlement and Migration Settings:** The Green Party opposes restrictive or anti-migrant rhetoric, advocating for humanitarian approaches including pathways to regularize overstayers, and removing visas that tie migrant workers to a single employer. They support friendlier visa settings (such as Pacific visa waiver expansions). * **Family & Rules:** Generally favor more compassionate and accessible family reunification pathways and reducing barriers that separate migrant families. * * * Key Electoral Deadlines If you still need to finalise your enrolment or want to cast your vote before election day on **November 7, 2026** , keep these official dates from Elections NZ in mind: * **Enrolment Deadline:** October 25, 2026 (You can still enrol after this date, but you will cast a special vote). * **Advance Voting:** October 26 – November 6, 2026. * **Election Day:** November 7, 2026 (Voting places are open from 9:00 AM to 7:00 PM). You can check your status or find local voting places using the Vote.nz portal. **End captured answer** ## Google AI Overviews · asked nationally Answer ID: 66b004d3-c064-46b0-81cf-a5d0baf91882. Captured 16 October 2026. **Begin captured answer — shown as given, not verified** For the **2026 New Zealand general election** , the major political parties have put forward distinct visions for immigration, family reunification, and the pathways migrants take to settle into the country. Because immigration settings shift between temporary visitor rules, permanent residency pathways, and settlement support, the major parties have positioned themselves across a wide spectrum. * * * Comparison of Party Policies on Family Reunification and Settlement Political Party| Family Reunification & Visitor Visas| Permanent Residence & Citizenship Settings| Settlement Support & Civic Integration ---|---|---|--- **National Party** _(Current Government Lead)_| • Chronological, queue-based **Parent Resident Visa** process (no lottery). • Fast-tracked visitor visas for partners of returning citizens. • Proposed a 5-year multiple-entry **Parent Visa Boost** (requires private health insurance, no welfare entitlements).| • Continues focus on targeted economic migration streams and skilled pathways. • Opposes the total abolition of Permanent Resident (PR) visas.| • Focuses settlement resources on economic gaps, worker retention, and streamlining professional recognition (e.g., healthcare). **Labour Party**| • Proposed a **10-year multiple-entry "Super Visa"** for parents and grandparents (stays from 6 months to 5 years; requires financial sponsorship and health insurance). • Pledges a review of financial and health criteria for the Parent Resident Visa. • Proposes a 3-month Pacific visa-waiver program to ease family travel.| • Proposes **doubling the wait time** to transition from a Resident Visa to a Permanent Resident Visa from 2 years to 4 years.| • Introduces a mandatory **New Zealand orientation and civic education programme** for migrants to strengthen social cohesion. **ACT New Zealand**| • Focuses primarily on market-driven economic needs rather than expanding family parent visas.| • Proposes **abolishing the Permanent Resident Visa category entirely** , replacing it with a Resident Visa that requires a 5-year travel facility renewal based on physical presence.| • Proposes a strict **5-year welfare ban** on new migrants before they can access social security support. **Green Party**| • Strongly supports expanding **family reunification** categories. • Advocates for lowering income thresholds and shortening waiting times for family visas.| • Proposes broad **residency pathways** for all temporary work visa holders, providing immediate long-term stability.| • Focuses on ending visas that tie a migrant worker to a single employer to prevent workplace exploitation. **New Zealand First**| • Restricts family reunification policies and proposes a **referendum to cap resident visas** at 20,000 annually.| • Proposes **doubling the qualifying period** for both permanent residence and citizenship from 5 years to 10 years. • Restricts automatic birthright citizenship to children of citizens.| • Proposes a **10-year welfare ban** for visa holders and introduces a compulsory "civics education" framework on New Zealand values. * * * Core Areas of Difference to Consider for Your Vote 1\. Bringing Parents and Grandparents to NZ If your priority is bringing extended family to live with or visit you, the parties present vastly different mechanisms: * **The "Super Visa" / "Visa Boost" Approach:** Both **National** and **Labour** support multi-year visitor visa frameworks (5 or 10 years) that allow parents to stay for long stretches to support their families, provided you sponsor them financially and pay for their private medical insurance. These do not lead to residency or public pension access. * **The Permanent Residency Route:** **National** focuses on a chronological, non-random waiting list for the official [Parent Resident Visa](https://www.immigration.govt.nz/visas/parent-resident-visa/) . The **Green Party** wants to dramatically lower the income barriers so that everyday earners, not just high wealth brackets, can sponsor parents permanently. Conversely, **NZ First** wishes to strictly limit these pipelines. 2\. Settlement Support vs. Stricter Integration Because English is your second language, how the system helps you feel included—or what it expects of you—is an active point of debate: * **Labour** proposes an extended wait for permanent status but pairs it with structural orientation and civic support to help migrants "put down roots" seamlessly. * [NZ First](https://www.nzfirst.nz/) and [ACT](https://www.facebook.com/actparty/) take a more transactional approach, viewing immigration primarily through economic utility. They propose blocking access to the safety net of welfare services (like the Jobseeker or Accommodation supplements) for the first 5 to 10 years of a migrant's time in New Zealand. 3\. Moving from Resident to Citizen As someone who has successfully navigated the path to citizenship, your future voting choices will shape the rules for those who follow you. **Labour** and **NZ First** have both flagged extensions to the time it takes to secure residency or citizenship, while the **Greens** seek to make the residency transition much faster and more secure for workers. **End captured answer** ## Publication and corrections Published and funded by Onsomble Limited. NZBrands.ai takes no view on any party or policy. [Independence](https://nzbrands.ai/about/independence/) · [Corrections](https://nzbrands.ai/about/corrections/) · [Contact](https://nzbrands.ai/about/contact/)