# Question 136: For the 2026 New Zealand general election: What are parties' current positions on migration levels, skilled workers and settlement services?

Collected 26 October 2026

[NZ Election 2026 · Edition 6 study](https://nzbrands.ai/research/nz-election-2026/editions/6)

## ChatGPT

Answer ID: e539d6f2-e199-405f-87fb-0974be260047

# New Zealand 2026 election: migration, skilled workers and settlement services

The key distinction to watch in the 2026 New Zealand general election is that migration policy covers three different questions:

- Migration levels: How many people should be able to move to New Zealand, and how should immigration settings respond to housing, infrastructure and labour-market pressures?
- Skilled workers: How readily should employers be able to recruit people from overseas, and what protections should apply to migrant workers?
- Settlement services: What support should newcomers receive to learn English, find work, understand New Zealand systems and participate in their communities?

A party can support attracting skilled migrants while also wanting tighter controls on overall immigration. Equally, supporting lower net migration does not automatically mean supporting fewer skilled-worker visas.

I'll distinguish published policies and documented government actions from proposals for the 2026 campaign. That matters because a policy in force today is not necessarily a commitment for the next parliamentary term.

## 1. Party-by-party comparison

The following reflects published 2026 campaign material and policy announcements available as of 26 October 2026. “No clear commitment found” means I could not verify a specific proposal in the material reviewed, not that a party has no position.

![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)

## National

In government; focuses on workforce needs and economic growth

Migration levels: Supports managing immigration responsibly, with an emphasis on filling genuine skill shortages and ensuring New Zealanders are prioritised for jobs. I did not verify a new numerical cap on total migration in its published 2026 policy material.

Skilled workers: The government has introduced two new skilled-residence pathways for experienced workers and qualified tradespeople and technicians, with eligibility based on work experience, qualifications and wage thresholds. It has also extended basic English-language requirements to additional Accredited Employer Work Visa roles.

Settlement services: I could not verify a major new, dedicated settlement-services commitment in the material reviewed. The English-language requirements are relevant to workplace and community integration, but are not the same as providing funded English tuition or settlement support. [2026 Election Policy](https://www.national.org.nz/policies)[New residence options to bolster workforce](https://www.national.org.nz/news/20250923-hon-nicola-willis-new-residence-options-to-bolster-workforce)[English language requirement extended to AEWV skill level 3 roles](https://www.national.org.nz/news/20260525-honericastanford-level3)

![South Island Election Conference 2026](https://images.openai.com/static-rsc-4/_spFKDBqOMVPoo8r35YLoGFwljs_-WWe4ur9fdZCfekzAxaUPGA75u8rI9uxOUTssI2hUZN1r4Zu1AeDrcNaxz3uHoFIyWjDpanT5s-KJ87QzxSu1uNjNL4MOHSuazRZuTy_TzC6aN4wxHHoyU_DhzMFuMCMjNBTtg2xRxOZL6c?purpose=inline)

## Labour

Capacity-based planning, worker protections and integration

Migration levels: Proposes a Government Policy Statement on immigration that plans migration around workforce demographics, housing and infrastructure capacity, rather than relying on a single fixed national target.

Skilled workers: Wants to strengthen the Accredited Employer Work Visa system and allow migrants to move between accredited employers after three months, reducing the risk of exploitation tied to a particular employer.

Settlement services: Proposes extending eligibility for permanent residence from two years to four years, supported by New Zealand orientation and civic education delivered by community education providers. It also proposes improving access to support in migrant communities and expanding Pacific visa-waiver access for family visits. [Immigration](https://www.labour.org.nz/immigration)

![Green Party NZ (@NZGreens) on X](https://images.openai.com/static-rsc-4/xwoeA3rTn5Pu0UL1uRc6X_g8ADsfUTe55rxQEjXC_rnFR_6TPTr_9eG0LsowNOdFRtax24qB8h-LRfUtZEf42T0CC5OclOZ5katbFJAYxs0cZRyqDBlGNgF_8AV_5WTCbYonGIqLGuK095lLGrkBVw3L8vdsA06tLHVNuCJquuc?purpose=inline)

## Green Party

Migrant dignity, fair pathways and refugee protection

Migration levels: Its 2026 manifesto emphasises welcoming, safe and fair pathways to make New Zealand home. The material reviewed does not establish a specific overall migration cap.

Skilled workers: Emphasises that migrant workers deserve fair treatment and should not be treated as disposable. Its wider workforce agenda focuses on employment protections, decent pay and workers' ability to exercise their rights.

Settlement services: The manifesto frames settlement around dignity, inclusion and fair opportunities to establish a life in New Zealand. It also has a distinct immigration and refugees policy area. For precise commitments on funded settlement programmes, English-language services or particular visa pathways, the full policy details should be checked rather than inferred from these principles. [Manifesto 2026](https://www.greens.org.nz/manifesto_2026)

Source: [Green Party 2026 manifesto](https://www.greens.org.nz/manifesto_2026?utm_source=chatgpt.com)

![New Zealand Legislative Election Winner 2026 Odds | Polymarket](https://images.openai.com/static-rsc-4/jofoEEdOXv6HOQzupGnQLgXlZKKPYTzvN6g4IUMlN6xdqX4l_qH5-Y0A3to5ytO5w95eGsg-WLInlnku5FmW0VEyKqhTiAqcZSbr_Z1e_uNyqacdq4zniDKhRNRugVUCsz1-CYpZeG4nO7sLuQKEQlQMBgJCAoyH3nC76yYHd6E?purpose=inline)

## ACT

Focuses on contribution, residence conditions and commitment to New Zealand

Migration levels: I could not verify a specific new numerical cap in the ACT material reviewed.

Skilled workers: ACT's stated approach includes welcoming migrants, while emphasising that residence status should reflect a genuine and lasting connection to New Zealand.

Settlement services: Its September 2026 policy would remove the existing Permanent Resident Visa category and change the Resident Visa's travel facility from an initial two years to five years. This is a proposal about residence conditions, not a settlement-services funding plan. [ACT New Zealand](https://www.act.org.nz/news/act%E2%80%99s-new-immigration-policy-to-put-%E2%80%98reside%E2%80%99-back-in-%E2%80%98resident%E2%80%99)

Source: [ACT's September 2026 immigration announcement](https://www.act.org.nz/news/act%E2%80%99s-new-immigration-policy-to-put-%E2%80%98reside%E2%80%99-back-in-%E2%80%98resident%E2%80%99?utm_source=chatgpt.com)

![New Zealand legislative election winner? Predictions & Od... 2026 | Polymarket](https://images.openai.com/static-rsc-4/UmXClDd76aKEk_XyXfEEacFBHXO18HFMG1Im-weRm7tb64uGzBsRK3vWPXuiFN2zaWaNznb7eSDIJucKOhlXtwb6Lq-BYR6oxisKzHsWTxF5AsiLmtcNGDNtwCsXzgIuSp2vW4pa6pAda-tTriG23zKX1ZuknQ81HGh411pqRkM?purpose=inline)

## New Zealand First

Explicitly seeks substantial restrictions on immigration and residence

Migration levels: Proposes a referendum on a legislated cap of 20,000 resident visas annually, links population growth to infrastructure capacity, and proposes a 30-year population plan. The cap is a proposed referendum policy, not a current legal limit.

Skilled workers: Its policy would remove automatic work rights for international students, require eligible students to meet strict conditions to work, and require students transitioning to another visa to leave New Zealand and reapply from overseas. Its stated emphasis is on protecting job opportunities for New Zealanders.

Settlement services: Proposes increasing the period for permanent residence from two to five years and citizenship eligibility from five to at least ten years. It would also introduce a ten-year stand-down from specified welfare benefits for non-citizens, prioritise citizens for social housing, and increase application fees for residence and citizenship. These measures would materially change the conditions under which migrants settle long-term. [NZ First Announces Immigration Reform Policies](https://www.nzfirst.nz/nz_first_announces_immigration_reform_policies)

Source: [New Zealand First's September 2026 immigration policies](https://www.nzfirst.nz/nz_first_announces_immigration_reform_policies?utm_source=chatgpt.com)

## 2. The main differences at a glance

| Issue | National | Labour | Greens | ACT | NZ First |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Overall migration | Managed to meet economic needs | Planned against national capacity | Welcoming pathways; no verified cap | No verified new numerical cap | Proposed 20,000 resident visas/year |
| Skilled-worker access | New skilled-residence routes | Stronger visa protections and employer mobility | Fair treatment and employment rights | Welcoming migrants; tighter residence conditions | Tighter work rights for international students |
| Permanent residence | More skilled pathways | Proposed eligibility after 4 years | Fair, safe pathways are a stated priority | Proposed changes to residence and travel conditions | Proposed eligibility after 5 years |
| Settlement and integration | No major new dedicated commitment verified | Orientation, civic education and community support | Dignity, inclusion and refugee protection | Focus on commitment to New Zealand | Longer waits for citizenship and welfare restrictions |

Sources: party policy announcements and manifestos cited above. The table distinguishes published proposals from existing government settings.

## 3. What to examine specifically on settlement services

Settlement services can be overlooked in debates about immigration numbers. For a more complete comparison, these are the policy details worth checking in each party's full programme:

- English-language support: Whether English tuition is funded, who qualifies and whether services are available outside major centres.
- Employment and qualifications: Whether overseas qualifications are recognised more quickly and whether newcomers can access job-search support.
- Worker protection: Whether migrants can change employers without losing their visa status, and what help is available when employers exploit them.
- Family settlement: Access to family reunification, schools, healthcare and culturally appropriate community services.
- Refugee settlement: Funding for housing, language learning, employment assistance and long-term integration.
- Pacific communities: Whether policy addresses seasonal workers, family connections and the particular circumstances of Pacific migrants.

These are comparison criteria, not claims that every party has announced a specific programme in each area.

## 4. Where to verify the latest policy details

Because this is an election-year comparison, check the original policy documents for any announcements published after the material reviewed here.

- [Policy.nz — 2026 election policy comparison](https://policy.nz/2026/party-vote/policies/migration?utm_source=chatgpt.com)
- [National — 2026 election policies](https://www.national.org.nz/policies?utm_source=chatgpt.com)
- [Labour — immigration policy](https://www.labour.org.nz/immigration?utm_source=chatgpt.com)
- [Greens — 2026 manifesto](https://www.greens.org.nz/manifesto_2026?utm_source=chatgpt.com)
- [ACT — immigration policy announcement](https://www.act.org.nz/news/act%E2%80%99s-new-immigration-policy-to-put-%E2%80%98reside%E2%80%99-back-in-%E2%80%98resident%E2%80%99?utm_source=chatgpt.com)
- [New Zealand First — immigration reform policies](https://www.nzfirst.nz/nz_first_announces_immigration_reform_policies?utm_source=chatgpt.com)

The central policy distinction: National's published approach emphasises attracting skilled workers while managing immigration; Labour emphasises capacity-based planning alongside worker protection and integration; the Greens emphasise migrant dignity and fair treatment; ACT emphasises residence conditions and lasting commitment to New Zealand; and New Zealand First proposes the most explicit numerical limit and longer residence and citizenship qualifying periods among the positions documented above.

These differences concern both who can enter New Zealand and what rights, support and long-term prospects people have after arriving. A proposed policy is not yet law, and actual outcomes will depend on legislation, implementation and any coalition agreements after the election.

## Gemini

Answer ID: 5188f7cd-8201-4953-ba6e-92ac8c6ba621

As the New Zealand general election approaches, immigration, skilled workforce settings, and settlement frameworks have emerged as major topics of debate. The political parties hold markedly different visions, ranging from tighter controls and longer pathways to residence to more market-driven or humanitarian approaches. 

---

### 1. National (Incumbent / Coalition Lead)
* **Migration Levels & Approach:** National’s general election stance is largely built around a continuation of its current government settings (such as the "Going for Growth" framework and the Skilled Migrant Category reforms). The party has focused on aligning temporary work and skilled pathways closely with economic needs. 
* **Skilled Workers:** Maintains a streamlined approach via tools like the Skilled Migrant Category and occupation lists, prioritizing alignment with employer demand without enacting broad blanket caps.
* **Coalition Dynamics:** Notably, Immigration Minister Erica Stanford has publicly pushed back against some stricter coalition proposals—such as ACT’s call to abolish permanent resident visas—signalling which elements National prefers to protect.

### 2. ACT New Zealand
* **Migration Levels & Approach:** ACT advocates for a market-driven immigration framework paired with tighter controls on public resources and enforcement. Proposals include a **five-year welfare stand-down** for all residence-class visa holders (blocking access to jobseeker support and income-tested benefits) and an infrastructure surcharge ($6 per day) on temporary work visas.
* **Skilled Workers:** Proposes a dedicated **three-year Rural Workforce Visa** (covering dairy, sheep, beef, and general farm work) with employer mobility and a clear residence pathway. It also calls for annual reviews of the skilled jobs list to match actual economic gaps and expanding English language requirements across all ANZSCO skill levels.
* **Settlement & Residence:** Controversially proposes **abolishing Permanent Resident Visas (PRVs)**, replacing them with a system where resident visa travel conditions must be renewed every five years (requiring 730 days physically spent in NZ), alongside indefinite deportation liability for serious offences.

### 3. New Zealand First
* **Migration Levels & Approach:** NZ First has proposed the most extensive and restrictive package of immigration changes, framing immigration as a "privilege rather than a right". A central policy is holding a **referendum to cap annual resident visas at 20,000** and linking migration strictly to infrastructure capacity.
* **Skilled Workers & Students:** Proposes tightening restrictions on international students (removing default work rights and requiring them to leave before applying for another visa) and restricting birthright citizenship so that only children of citizens automatically receive it at birth.
* **Settlement Services & Welfare:** 
  * **Doubling qualifying periods** for permanent residency and citizenship from five years to ten years.
  * Enforcing a **10-year welfare and superannuation stand-down** (making visa holders ineligible for benefits like Jobseeker Support or the accommodation supplement during that timeframe).
  * Restricting voting rights and superannuation exclusively to New Zealand citizens.

### 4. New Zealand Labour Party
* **Migration Levels & Approach:** Labour positions its policy around managed growth tied to what housing, infrastructure, and the public workforce can absorb, while explicitly rejecting anti-migrant rhetoric. 
* **Skilled Workers & Pathways:** Focuses heavily on domestic workforce training (such as expanding the Apprenticeship Boost and trades training) while managing migration to plug essential gaps safely. 
* **Settlement Services & Inclusion:** 
  * Proposes **doubling the timeframe required to achieve permanent residence**.
  * Introduces a specific **citizenship pathway for children born in New Zealand** to undocumented parents who have lived in the country continuously.
  * Proposes introducing an **orientation and civic education programme** for newcomers alongside stronger protections against migrant exploitation, alongside expanding visa-waiver travel for Pacific Island Forum citizens.

### 5. Green Party
* **Migration Levels & Approach:** The Greens oppose using migration as a scapegoat for domestic economic issues like low wages or housing shortages. 
* **Skilled Workers & Settlement:** Focuses on human rights, humanitarian outcomes, and removing systemic barriers. Key proposals include:
  * Creating clear **residence pathways for long-term settled migrants** (including those whose visas have expired).
  * Removing the often-criticized "Acceptable Standard of Health" requirements that block disabled or chronically ill applicants.
  * Fully resourcing Immigration New Zealand to clear family reunification backlogs, speeding up asylum claims, ending the detention of asylum seekers, and introducing explicit **humanitarian and climate-displacement migration provisions**.

## Google AI Mode

Answer ID: 325595b9-a822-425e-bb47-d3a3a4f57eaf

For the 2026 New Zealand general election, immigration, migration levels, and worker settings have emerged as notable areas of divergence across the political spectrum, contrasting the governing parties with populist and left-wing alternatives.

According to reports and policy statements compiled by outlets like

RNZ's Immigration Policy Guide

and

Radio New Zealand coverage

, the key positions of the major parties include:

1\. National Party

 * * **Migration Levels & Skilled Workers:** National (via Immigration Minister Erica Stanford) supports maintaining sensible, demand-driven settings tied closely to genuine skill shortages and partnership channels. The party has defended current economic migration frameworks (such as adjustments under the Skilled Migrant Category and ongoing workforce updates) aimed at filling critical gaps rather than implementing hard numerical caps.

 * **Settlement and Residency:** National explicitly opposes abolishing permanent resident visas or introducing harsh retrospective retroactive changes, emphasizing stability for migrants already contributing to the economy. [RNZ]

 *

2\. New Zealand First

 * * **Migration Levels & Skilled Workers:** NZ First advocates for a dramatic overhaul and tightening of the entire immigration system. They propose scrapping the Accredited Employer Work Visa (AEWV) and replacing it with a strictly "shortage-led" Skilled Work Visa tied specifically to regional and occupational deficits rather than general employer recruitment. They have also proposed holding a binding referendum for an annual cap of 20,000 resident visas.

 * **Settlement Services & Rules:** NZ First proposes doubling the qualifying period for permanent residence and citizenship from five to ten years, restricting birthright citizenship, and implementing a 10-year welfare stand-down for non-citizens. They do propose a 24-month self-deportation amnesty window for existing overstayers, particularly those of Pacific origin, to transition to legal status.

 *

3\. ACT New Zealand

 * * **Migration Levels & Skilled Workers:** ACT focuses heavily on market-led flexibility paired with strict regulatory compliance. They advocate for regular annual reviews of skilled job lists and making it easier for productive businesses to source talent, while proposing tighter infrastructure and physical presence tests for residents.

 * **Settlement and Residency:** ACT has proposed removing the traditional Permanent Resident Visa category, shifting standard resident visas to require a five-year rolling travel facility tied to ongoing physical presence requirements, alongside a 5-year welfare bar for new arrivals.

 *

4\. Labour Party

 * * **Migration Levels & Skilled Workers:** Labour (with commentary from spokespeople like Phil Twyford) has criticized what it frames as anti-migrant populism and scapegoating from the political right. Labour supports practical, managed migration that preserves public confidence while reviewing specific mechanisms like parent resident visa financial requirements.

 * **Settlement Services & Rules:** Labour has highlighted targeted humanitarian and fairness adjustments, such as proposing a pathway to citizenship for children born in New Zealand to undocumented parents, alongside thoughtful streamlining of Pacific access (such as NZeTA settings for Pacific Island Forum countries).

 *

5\. Green Party

 * * **Migration Levels & Skilled Workers:** The Green Party (represented by voices like Ricardo Menendez March) strongly opposes restrictive caps or hostile rhetoric toward migrants, arguing that systemic infrastructure and wage issues stem from economic and tax settings rather than migration.

 * **Settlement Services & Rules:** The Greens advocate for a compassionate and streamlined settlement approach, including a faster 5-year residency pathway, comprehensive regularisation pathways for overstayers, and the removal of punitive work stand-downs for migrant workers.