New Zealand’s 2026 election: migration, settlement and family reunification

As a new New Zealand citizen, you can look at this election from two connected perspectives: how well migrants are supported to build a life here, and how easily they can bring close family members to join them.

These are related, but they are not the same policy issue. A party might support English-language learning and employment services while favouring tighter immigration rules. Another might emphasise family reunification while taking a different approach to settlement funding or migrant-worker protections.

I'll compare the main political parties on these issues, explain what their policies mean in everyday terms, and distinguish current government rules from proposals for the 2026 general election. The election is scheduled for 2026, and it is important not to mistake a party's general position or an earlier policy for a confirmed election commitment.

1. The main parties compared

The table below focuses on published policies available as of 23 October 2026. It is a comparison of proposals, not a prediction of what will become law. Release: Labour to ensure an immigration system that works for New ZealandImmigration Reform PoliciesACT New Zealand2026 Election Policy

Party	Settlement and migrant support	Family reunification and immigration rules
National	Emphasis on economic growth, attracting needed skills and employer-led immigration. Its current settings provide pathways for eligible skilled workers to gain residence.	Broadly continues its immigration programme and skilled-residence reforms. I did not verify a specific new National commitment to make parent reunification easier. 2026 Election PolicyNZ Election 2026: Immigration Policy by Party
Labour	Proposes stronger protection against migrant exploitation, better access to community support, and orientation and civic education.	Proposes reviewing parent-visa rules, including health and English-language requirements. It also proposes extending the time before eligibility for permanent residence from two years to four. Release: Labour to ensure an immigration system that works for New ZealandImmigration
Green Party	Its wider political approach emphasises social inclusion and public services. I could not verify a sufficiently specific, current 2026 commitment on migrant settlement services to give a precise comparison here.	I could not verify a specific current 2026 proposal changing parent, partner or dependent-child visa criteria from the sources checked. This does not mean the party has no position.
ACT	Emphasises employment, contribution, English-language requirements and enforcement.	Proposes a five-year stand-down from specified income-tested benefits for residence-class visa holders, a daily infrastructure charge for temporary work-visa holders, and tighter controls on some work-visa categories. ACT New ZealandACT New Zealand
New Zealand First	Emphasises lower immigration numbers, infrastructure capacity, stricter enforcement and a stronger distinction between citizens and non-citizens.	Proposes a 20,000-per-year resident-visa cap referendum, a ten-year stand-down from specified benefits for non-citizens, and longer qualifying periods for permanent residence and citizenship. Immigration Reform PoliciesNZ First Announces Immigration Reform Policies

An important distinction: National, ACT and New Zealand First are not proposing identical approaches. ACT's published proposal is a five-year benefit stand-down, whereas New Zealand First proposes ten years. Labour's proposal focuses more on settlement support and reviewing family-visa rules, but it also proposes a longer wait for permanent residence. ACT New ZealandImmigration Reform PoliciesImmigration

These differences can affect migrants at different stages of their lives. Because you have become a citizen, however, some policies aimed at non-citizens would affect you differently than they would affect a person on a work or resident visa.

2. What the parties' positions could mean for your family

The first question is which family members you hope to bring to New Zealand. The rules differ considerably for a partner, dependent children and parents.

Partner or spouse

New Zealand citizenship can help your partner qualify for a visa based on your relationship. For a partner's resident visa, Immigration New Zealand generally requires evidence that you have lived together in a genuine and stable relationship for at least 12 months. Other eligibility requirements apply. Partner of a New Zealander Resident Visa » Immigration New ZealandPartnership and how to prove it :: Immigration New Zealand

The election question is whether a party would change the requirements, costs or processing arrangements—not simply whether it supports family unity in principle.

Parents

This is an especially important policy area to examine if your parents live overseas. The Parent Resident Visa allows eligible parents of New Zealand citizens or residents to live here indefinitely, but it requires sponsorship, sufficient sponsor income, an invitation to apply, and health and English-language requirements. The published annual allocation is 2,500 visas. Parent Resident Visa » Immigration New Zealand

Labour specifically proposes reviewing parent-visa health, English-language and other rules. That is a proposal to review the requirements, not a guarantee that eligibility will be expanded. Release: Labour to ensure an immigration system that works for New ZealandImmigration

Dependent children

A New Zealand citizen living here may sponsor an eligible dependent child for residence. The resident-visa category generally covers single dependent children aged 24 or younger, subject to additional conditions depending on age and circumstances. Dependent Child Resident Visa » Immigration New ZealandBringing children :: Immigration New Zealand

When comparing parties, look for commitments about dependent-child eligibility, application processing, fees and family members who do not fit the standard definition of a dependent child.

What about other relatives?

Siblings, adult independent children and extended family members generally do not qualify for residence simply because you are a citizen. They may need to qualify through their own work, study, partnership or other visa category.

You can check the relevant current categories through Immigration New Zealand's official visa website.

3. What counts as settlement support?

For someone who works in New Zealand and uses English as a second language, settlement support can mean more than help finding a job. It can include access to English classes, recognition of overseas qualifications, fair treatment at work, community connections and help understanding public services.

New Zealand already has a government Migrant Settlement and Integration Strategy, covering employment, education and English, housing, health, and participation in the community. Some services are free and are delivered by government agencies and community organisations. Migrant Settlement and Integration Strategy :: Immigration New ZealandSettlement services :: Immigration New Zealand

Here is how to compare party proposals in practical terms:

Employment and protection from exploitation

Labour proposes allowing eligible migrant workers on Accredited Employer Work Visas to change accredited employers after three months, alongside stronger worker protections. ACT focuses on matching work visas to demonstrated skills shortages and enforcing visa conditions. ImmigrationACT New Zealand

English and integration

Labour proposes community-based orientation and civic education. ACT proposes extending basic English-language requirements across its specified Accredited Employer Work Visa categories. These proposals have different purposes: one provides support, while the other sets an entry or eligibility requirement. Release: Labour to ensure an immigration system that works for New ZealandACT New Zealand

Inclusion and family connections

The Green Party's immigration policy explicitly supports family reunification, fair treatment of migrant workers and greater refugee support. It also advocates a Pacific Passport arrangement to facilitate movement between New Zealand and Pacific island countries. These are policy directions, not automatic changes to existing family-visa eligibility. Manifesto 2026Green on Immigration

Financial security

ACT proposes a five-year stand-down from specified income-tested benefits for residence-class visa holders, while New Zealand First proposes a ten-year stand-down for non-citizens. The exact impact depends on the policy's final wording and who is covered. These proposals should not be confused with the rules currently in force. ACT New ZealandImmigration Reform Policies

One practical resource is Immigration New Zealand's settlement services directory. It includes information on adult English-language learning, migrant information services and community support. You can also ask government agencies for a free telephone or video interpreter in your preferred language. Settlement services :: Immigration New ZealandSettlement information :: Immigration New Zealand

4. What changes now that you are a citizen?

Your citizenship is an important distinction when evaluating campaign promises.

• Voting: You can participate in the election if you meet the enrolment and other voting requirements.
• Your own residence status: You no longer need a resident visa to maintain your right to live in New Zealand as a citizen.
• Bringing family: Citizenship can provide a route to sponsor eligible partners, dependent children and parents, but each visa category still has its own requirements.
• Benefits: A proposal to restrict benefits for non-citizens would not automatically apply to you as a citizen. Eligibility for any particular payment still depends on its rules.
• Family members' status: Your citizenship does not automatically give your relatives citizenship or a right to live here.

These distinctions are important because a party's immigration policy may affect you directly, affect your family members applying from overseas, or affect neither of you in the same way. Who can sponsor a visa applicant :: Immigration New ZealandDependent Child Resident Visa » Immigration New ZealandParent Resident Visa » Immigration New Zealand

5. How to make your voting comparison more useful

Rather than asking only which party is “pro-migrant”, consider these questions when reading their full policies:

1. Family: Will the party make it easier for parents, partners or children to join citizens living in New Zealand? Does it specify actual changes to eligibility, income thresholds, English requirements or waiting times?
2. Settlement: Does it commit to funding English classes, employment assistance, qualification recognition or community services? Are there measurable commitments?
3. Work: Does it protect workers from exploitation and give them a realistic way to change employers?
4. Security: Could its proposed rules affect your relatives' ability to obtain a visa, or their access to services while settling?
5. Delivery: Is the policy a funded commitment, a proposal to review the rules, or a broader statement of principle?

For official party statements, start with the National Party, Labour, Green Party, ACT and New Zealand First. Compare the actual wording, not just headlines.

Let's narrow this down to what matters most to you

The family rules are very different depending on whom you want to bring here. Which family members are you most interested in bringing to New Zealand?

That will let me focus the next comparison on the rules most likely to matter to your family, while keeping the information neutral so you can make your own voting decision.