ChatGPT · No location
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?
New Zealand’s 2026 election: immigration, settlement support and family reunification
Congratulations on becoming a New Zealand citizen. As you prepare to vote in the 2026 general election, it makes sense to look beyond general statements about immigration and ask what parties propose for people who have settled here, work here and want their family members to join them.
There are three related but distinct issues to compare:
- Settlement support: help with English, finding work, recognising overseas qualifications, accessing public services and participating in the community.
- Family reunification: the rules for bringing parents, partners, dependent children and other relatives to New Zealand.
- Immigration settings: visa eligibility, income requirements, processing times, costs and the balance between attracting workers and managing migration.
One important distinction: New Zealand citizenship gives you rights that are different from those of a temporary or resident visa holder, but it does not automatically give every relative the right to move to New Zealand. The relevant visa rules depend on your relationship to the family member and their circumstances.
1. How the main parties compare
The following is a comparison of published positions available as of 18 October 2026. It focuses on policies that could affect migrants, settled families and people who want relatives to join them. A party's announcement is a proposal, not necessarily a law that has been passed.
The most useful distinction is between policies explicitly announced for this election and broader party commitments. Where I could not verify a detailed current proposal on family visas, I say so rather than assuming the party has none.
Labour
Published approach: managed immigration with migrant protections
Labour's 11 September 2026 announcement proposes planning immigration around workforce, housing and infrastructure capacity. It also promises stronger protection against migrant exploitation, easier movement between accredited employers after three months, and better access to community support. Release: Labour to ensure an immigration system that works for New Zealand
- Settlement: proposes a New Zealand orientation and civic education programme delivered through community education providers.
- Residence pathway: proposes extending the period before migrants qualify for permanent residence from two years to four.
- Family reunification: promises a review of parent visa, health and English-language rules. This is a review commitment, not a guarantee that parent visas will become easier to obtain.
- Key question: would the proposed review reduce practical barriers for parents, and what eligibility changes would result?
Source: Labour's immigration announcement. Release: Labour to ensure an immigration system that works for New Zealand
Green Party
Published approach: inclusion, dignity and fair settlement pathways
The Greens' 2026 manifesto describes migrant workers as deserving fair treatment and support to settle in Aotearoa. It commits to welcoming, safe and fair pathways for migrants and refugees. Manifesto 2026Manifesto 2026
- Settlement: the manifesto emphasises dignity, inclusion and support for people establishing a life in New Zealand.
- Family reunification: the manifesto's immigration section establishes a welcoming overall approach, but the material reviewed here does not establish a specific new parent-visa income threshold, quota or guaranteed family sponsorship route.
- Key question: what precise changes would the party make to parent, partner and dependent-child visa rules, and when?
Source: Green Party 2026 manifesto. Manifesto 2026
National
Published approach: the governing party in the current coalition
National is part of the government whose immigration settings are in force. Its record in government and any newly announced election commitments should be distinguished: an existing rule is not necessarily a promise to retain it unchanged. The main parties vying to form New Zealand's next governmentNew Zealand to tighten immigration rules amid crime concerns
- Settlement: consider how its immigration and employment settings affect your ability to work, change employers and establish long-term residence.
- Family reunification: the current parent-residence system includes an annual cap of 2,500 visas. A new selection model began on 5 October 2026, with approximately 90% of expressions of interest selected in date order and 10% by ballot. Changes to the Parent Resident Visa Category :: Immigration New Zealand
- Key question: will National retain the current parent visa settings, change eligibility requirements or expand the number of places?
Sources: Immigration New Zealand's parent visa announcement and Reuters' 2026 election overview. Changes to the Parent Resident Visa Category :: Immigration New ZealandThe main parties vying to form New Zealand's next government
ACT New Zealand
Published approach: tighter conditions in some areas of immigration
ACT's 2026 election approach includes stronger immigration enforcement, a surcharge on temporary work visas and a proposed five-year exclusion period for new residence-class visa holders claiming government benefits. The main parties vying to form New Zealand's next government
- Settlement: benefit eligibility and the cost of temporary work visas are relevant to consider alongside employment opportunities and access to support.
- Family reunification: the sources reviewed here do not establish a specific new ACT policy on parent sponsorship or a new family-visa quota.
- Key question: would its proposed benefit restrictions affect your household or a relative who comes to New Zealand on a residence visa?
Source: Reuters' 2026 election overview. The main parties vying to form New Zealand's next government
New Zealand First
Published approach: substantially tighter immigration and residence settings
New Zealand First announced a package of immigration reforms on 11 September 2026, including longer residence and citizenship qualifying periods, a ten-year benefit stand-down for non-citizens and a referendum on capping resident visas at 20,000 annually. NZ First Announces Immigration Reform Policies
- Settlement: its proposed changes would make long-term residence and access to certain benefits more restrictive for non-citizens.
- Family reunification: a proposed annual cap on all resident visas could affect the wider availability of residence places, but it is not itself a published parent-specific quota. The announcement does not establish a specific new parent sponsorship rule.
- Key question: how would the proposed cap operate across different residence categories, including family-sponsored applications?
Source: New Zealand First's immigration reform announcement. NZ First Announces Immigration Reform Policies
2. At-a-glance comparison
| Party | Settlement and migrant support | Family reunification |
|---|---|---|
| Labour | Orientation programme; stronger employment protections; longer proposed wait for permanent residence | Explicit proposal to review parent visa, health and English rules |
| Greens | Emphasis on dignity, inclusion and fair settlement pathways | No specific new parent-visa settings verified in the material reviewed |
| National | Assess current government settings and new election commitments separately | Current parent-residence system has a 2,500 annual cap and a revised selection process |
| ACT | Proposed five-year benefit stand-down for new residence-class visa holders; temporary work visa surcharge | No specific new family-visa settings verified in the material reviewed |
| NZ First | Proposed longer residence and citizenship qualifying periods and ten-year benefit stand-down for non-citizens | Proposed 20,000 annual resident-visa cap referendum; no specific parent sponsorship change established |
Sources: official party announcements, Immigration New Zealand and Reuters. Release: Labour to ensure an immigration system that works for New ZealandManifesto 2026Changes to the Parent Resident Visa Category :: Immigration New ZealandThe main parties vying to form New Zealand's next governmentNZ First Announces Immigration Reform Policies
Important limitation: these are not five equally detailed family-reunification policies. Some parties have made explicit proposals, while others have broad principles or current government records. A missing specific proposal in the sources checked does not prove that a party has no policy.
3. What the rules mean for your family
Before comparing party promises, it helps to know what the current system allows. As a New Zealand citizen, you may be able to sponsor certain family members, but the rules vary by relationship.
Parents
The Parent Resident Visa allows eligible New Zealand citizens and residents to sponsor their parents for residence. It has income and other eligibility requirements, and places are limited. The annual cap remains 2,500, with the new selection process operating from 5 October 2026. Changes to the Parent Resident Visa Category :: Immigration New Zealand
Ask parties about sponsor income thresholds, the annual number of places and waiting times.
Husband, wife or partner
New Zealand has partner visa pathways, including residence pathways for eligible partners of citizens. Evidence of a genuine and stable relationship, living together and other requirements can matter. Check the current rules for your circumstances.
Ask whether parties plan to change partner visa eligibility, processing or evidence requirements.
Dependent children
Eligible dependent children may have options to join a parent in New Zealand. The appropriate route depends on factors such as age, dependency, the child's circumstances and the parent's status.
Ask about eligibility, age limits, costs and processing times.
For official requirements, start with Immigration New Zealand's visa finder. These are existing immigration pathways, not promises that any party will expand them.
A practical point about citizenship
Your citizenship is important, but it does not automatically remove visa requirements for your parents or other relatives. Also, rules for bringing someone to visit temporarily can differ from rules for bringing someone to live in New Zealand permanently.
If your main goal is to bring a parent to live with you, parent-residence policy is likely to be more relevant to your decision than general statements about skilled workers.
4. Settlement support: what to look for beyond visa rules
Settlement is not only about obtaining a visa. It is also about being able to build a secure life after arriving.
When reading party policies, look for specific commitments on:
- English-language learning: funding for accessible English classes and support for people learning English as an additional language.
- Employment: protection from exploitation, fair pay and the ability to change employers without jeopardising immigration status.
- Recognition of overseas qualifications: whether trained migrants can use their existing skills without unnecessary delays or costs.
- Community orientation: practical information about New Zealand law, public services, employment rights and civic participation.
- Family wellbeing: access to healthcare, education, housing and other services for eligible family members.
- Residence security: how long it takes to qualify for permanent residence and whether the rules are predictable.
The distinction to keep in mind is that a party can support immigration for economic reasons while also proposing stricter family visa rules. Equally, a party can favour welcoming settlement pathways without having specified exactly how many more family visas it would grant.
5. How to use your two votes
New Zealand uses the mixed-member proportional (MMP) voting system. At the general election, you get two votes:
- Party vote: helps determine how many seats each party receives in Parliament.
- Electorate vote: chooses the candidate you want to represent your local electorate.
The party vote usually has the larger effect on each party's overall representation. Smaller parties can also influence government policy if they become part of a coalition or support agreement. How does New Zealand's electoral system work and does it favour coalitions?
The election is scheduled for Saturday, 7 November 2026. Policy.nz offers a topic-by-topic comparison of party policies, including migration: Compare 2026 election policies. Policies for Party vote - NZ Election 2026
6. Questions to ask before deciding
When you read a manifesto, try to find specific answers to these questions:
- Will the party make it easier, harder or no different for my family to join me permanently?
- Will it change the income I must earn to sponsor my parents?
- Will it increase the number of family residence visas available?
- Will it invest in English classes, employment support and help understanding public services?
- Will it protect migrants from exploitation without making it harder for them to change jobs?
- Are its commitments funded, clearly explained and intended to take effect during the next parliamentary term?
These questions can help you distinguish a general promise from a policy that would make a practical difference to your family.
Let's narrow this down to your situation
The most important detail for comparing family-reunification policies is which family member you hope to bring to New Zealand. Different visa categories have very different rules.
ChatGPT can make mistakes. Check important info.
Captured 19 October 2026 · shown as ChatGPT gave it, not a verified account