# Question 111: 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?

Collected 31 October 2026

[NZ Election 2026 · Edition 7 study](https://nzbrands.ai/research/nz-election-2026/editions/7)

## ChatGPT

Answer ID: b2ad50ba-49be-4a3e-82f8-27fc75ec0c12

# Understanding migrant settlement and family reunification in New Zealand's 2026 election

Congratulations on becoming a New Zealand citizen. Becoming eligible to vote means you can now have a say in policies that affect not only your own future, but also the experiences of migrants, new residents and families hoping to make New Zealand their home.

There are two related but distinct issues worth examining:

1. Migrant settlement support: What help do migrants receive to find work, learn English, understand New Zealand society, access services and participate in their communities?
2. Family reunification: How easily can migrants bring their spouses or partners, children, parents and other relatives to live in New Zealand?

A party can support skilled migration while favouring restrictive family immigration rules. Equally, a party can advocate stronger settlement services without necessarily supporting broader immigration numbers.

It's useful to examine these issues separately rather than assuming that a party's general attitude towards immigration tells you its entire policy.

## 1. How New Zealand's system works

New Zealand's immigration system is administered primarily by Immigration New Zealand (INZ), under government immigration policy.

Some important distinctions:

- Citizenship: As a New Zealand citizen, you have the right to live in New Zealand permanently and participate in elections. Your relatives do not automatically become citizens or residents because you are one.
- Permanent residence: Residents and permanent residents have different immigration statuses, but both generally have extensive rights to live in New Zealand.
- Partner and child visas: These allow qualifying family members to join eligible residents and citizens, subject to relationship, identity, health and character requirements.
- Parent visas: These have additional eligibility, sponsorship, income and other requirements. They are not automatically available to everyone.
- Other relatives: Siblings, adult relatives and extended family members generally face more restricted immigration pathways.

This means that when considering a party's family reunification policy, it is important to ask whether it applies to citizens, permanent residents, temporary workers, international students or refugees. These groups can face very different rules.

## 2. What support exists for migrants today?

The government's existing Migrant Settlement and Integration Strategy identifies five areas of settlement:

- Participation and inclusion: feeling welcome, safe and part of the community.
- Health and wellbeing: being able to access appropriate health services.
- Housing: finding suitable long-term accommodation.
- Education and English: developing language skills and accessing education.
- Employment: finding work, using existing qualifications and becoming financially independent.

There are already government-funded services, including adult English-language programmes, school ESOL support, interpreting services and community initiatives that help migrants build connections. [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/)[Settlement services :: Immigration New Zealand](https://www.immigration.govt.nz/about-us/our-strategies-and-programmes/supporting-people-from-overseas-to-settle-in-new-zealand/settlement-services/)

This gives you a useful way to assess election promises: are parties proposing to expand these services, maintain them, reduce government involvement, or change the conditions under which migrants receive support?

## 3. Comparing the main parties

The following comparison uses policies and announcements published by 31 October 2026. It distinguishes specific proposals from areas where I could not establish a detailed published commitment.

### Labour

Published immigration policy

Labour's published approach includes:

- Planning immigration according to workforce needs, housing and infrastructure capacity.
- Extending the period before migrants qualify for permanent residence from two years to four.
- Providing New Zealand orientation and civic education through community education providers.
- Allowing migrants to move between accredited employers after three months.
- Strengthening protections against migrant exploitation.
- Improving access to community support.
- Reviewing parent visa, health and English-language requirements.

Family reunification: Labour proposes expanding visa-waiver access for citizens of Pacific Islands Forum countries, making it easier for Pacific families to visit relatives in New Zealand. It also proposes reviewing parent visa rules, although it has not specified a complete replacement system in the policy material examined.

Important distinction: Labour's proposed four-year permanent residence qualifying period is not the same as a four-year waiting period for a partner or child to join you. [Immigration](https://www.labour.org.nz/immigration)[Release: Labour to ensure an immigration system that works for New Zealand](https://www.labour.org.nz/news/release-labour-to-ensure-an-immigration-system-that-works-for-new-zealand/)

### National

Published immigration commitments

National's published commitments include:

- Supporting skilled migration and international education.
- Providing a Parent Boost Visa, which enables eligible parents of New Zealand citizens and residents to visit for longer.
- Prioritising and expediting work and visitor visas for partners of New Zealand citizens.
- Making changes to immigration administration to attract and retain people with needed skills.

Family reunification: National has made specific commitments concerning partners and parents.

Its Parent Boost Visa allows eligible parents to visit for multiple entries over up to five years, subject to health, insurance, income or financial requirements.

This is important to understand: Parent Boost is a long-term visitor visa, not permanent residence. [Bringing families together with Parent Boost](https://www.national.org.nz/news/20250608-honericastandford-parent-boost-visa)[National’s 100 Day Plan to secure our future](https://www.national.org.nz/news/20261025-100-day-plan)[National’s plan to welcome more Kiwis home](https://www.national.org.nz/news/261013-nicolawillis)

### ACT

Published immigration proposals

ACT's published positions emphasise:

- A labour-market-oriented immigration system.
- Greater certainty for employers and migrants who contribute skills.
- Physical-presence requirements for permanent residents.
- Changes to the way permanent residence works.
- More predictable parent visa selection.

Family reunification: ACT has specifically advocated replacing the Parent Resident Visa lottery with a queue-based system.

A change introduced on 5 October 2026 means approximately 90% of parent visa expressions of interest will be selected in date order, with the remaining 10% selected by ballot. ACT has claimed credit for advocating this change.

ACT has also supported the Parent Boost Visa, which offers a temporary alternative for parents who do not have permanent residence. [ACT New Zealand](https://www.act.org.nz/news/act-drives-change-for-fairer-parent-visa-settings)[ACT New Zealand](https://www.act.org.nz/news/act-delivers-for-families-stuck-in-parent-visa-lottery)[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)

### New Zealand First

Published immigration reform proposals

New Zealand First has announced a more restrictive approach to immigration.

Its September 2026 proposals include:

- A referendum on a possible annual cap of 20,000 resident visas.
- Extending the citizenship qualifying period from five to ten years.
- Extending the permanent residence qualifying period from two to five years.
- A proposed ten-year welfare stand-down for non-citizens.
- Broader deportation provisions.
- Greater emphasis on immigration levels being linked to infrastructure capacity.

Family reunification: Its published reform announcement does not provide a detailed alternative pathway for partners, children or parents. Its proposed resident visa cap could affect the number of family-related residence visas available, depending on how a future cap was designed.

An important distinction is that these are campaign proposals, not all existing immigration law. [NZ First Announces Immigration Reform Policies](https://www.nzfirst.nz/nz_first_announces_immigration_reform_policies)[New Zealand First to Campaign on ‘Citizens Only Voting’](https://www.nzfirst.nz/nz_first_to_campaign_on_citizens_only_voting)

### Green Party

Published immigration and refugee policy

The Green Party's 2026 manifesto describes its approach as welcoming, safe and fair pathways to making New Zealand home.

Its published positions include:

- Creating pathways to residence for long-settled migrants, including some people whose visas have expired.
- Removing some health requirements that prevent migrants and refugees with health conditions or disabilities from obtaining visas.
- Allowing migrant workers greater freedom to change employers.
- Removing the requirement for some migrant workers to leave New Zealand between visas.
- Increasing the refugee quota, with a stated goal of 5,000 by 2029.
- Addressing delays in refugee family reunification.
- Restoring birthright citizenship.
- Developing an immigration system that recognises Te Tiriti o Waitangi and gives hapū and iwi a greater role.

Family reunification: The Greens explicitly identify family reunification as an area needing improvement, particularly for refugee families. Their published manifesto also supports fairer immigration pathways, although it does not provide a complete new set of partner, child and parent visa criteria. [Manifesto 2026](https://www.greens.org.nz/manifesto_2026)[Green Party of Aotearoa New Zealand](https://undecided.nz/parties/green/)[Immigration (Enhanced Risk Management) Amendment Bill](https://www.legislation.govt.nz/bill/government/2026/267/en/latest/highlights/)

### Te Pāti Māori

Limited specific immigration commitments identified

Te Pāti Māori places considerable emphasis on:

- Te Tiriti o Waitangi.
- Māori rights and tino rangatiratanga.
- Māori community wellbeing.
- Māori economic development.
- The Crown's obligations towards tangata whenua.

However, I could not verify a sufficiently detailed 2026 party policy specifying changes to partner visas, parent visas or family reunification for migrants generally.

It would be misleading to assume that its positions on Māori rights automatically establish its position on every immigration question. [TE PĀTI MĀORI LAUNCHES TE TIRITI ENTRENCHMENT POLICY](https://www.maoriparty.org.nz/te_p_ti_m_ori_launches_te_tiriti_entrenchment_policy)[Immigration](https://retail.kiwi/insights-media/election-hub/policy-positions-immigration/)

## 4. Side-by-side comparison

This table brings the main differences together. It compares published commitments, not how successful a future government would be at implementing them.

| Party | Settlement and integration | Bringing family members |
| --- | --- | --- |
| National | Skills, employment and managed migration | Faster partner visas; Parent Boost visitor visa |
| Labour | Civic education, community support and worker protections | Review parent visa rules; easier Pacific family visits |
| ACT | Employer-focused migration and stronger residence conditions | More predictable parent visa queue; Parent Boost |
| NZ First | More restrictive migration and longer residence requirements | No detailed new family reunification pathway established |
| Greens | Migrant inclusion, employment rights and refugee support | Expanded humanitarian and refugee family reunification |
| Te Pāti Māori | Emphasis on Te Tiriti and Māori wellbeing | No sufficiently detailed general family visa proposal verified |

An important observation is that there are differences between helping family members visit and helping them become permanent residents.

For example:

- A visitor visa might let your parent spend several months with you.
- A resident visa might allow your parent to live and work in New Zealand indefinitely.
- A partner work visa might allow your spouse to work but does not necessarily give them residence immediately.

These are very different outcomes.

## 5. What the current family immigration rules mean for you

Because you are now a New Zealand citizen, your options as a family sponsor are particularly important.

![Your guide to summer in Wellington – WellingtonNZ](https://images.openai.com/static-rsc-4/lcKbyVLvtgPjyeqx-la_3gxFJ03lLWtiVRzNhJYxQLc0279ZwaTKF47poTRLeuJUUw-v-WpcCuTyEYHf9VofnTHx2Tq-fJGB6cxv0AKNaW-PXwG9yrXfROrXCWAcS1Xsa4FmYNMoPVM4rcAaI2jp7WBrofQgZI-625O83LUkgnA?purpose=inline)

Partner

Your overseas partner may qualify for a partnership-based visa, depending on your relationship and the evidence provided. There are temporary and residence pathways.

![| FUMC San Diego](https://images.openai.com/static-rsc-4/6kMDphcHTrnnUh74Ce_89Ki_SZxIp5ccAShRFLMCd2f2Kwmgd5Q98jZZRCa4tG7EpSb9wG-vh7F_dEHh98T9d5nxiLSPHagYaxowu-QKywNrEHSXg9XeVNY4JQm388f59U0sUvtFVM7A_Fa_1ME470TAixnP1nzwEBO5pRvTb30?purpose=inline)

Dependent children

Eligible dependent children can apply for visas to join a New Zealand citizen parent. Residence options depend on age and other requirements.

![Senior Parents With Adult Children On Walk In Park](https://images.openai.com/static-rsc-4/M4ieGmEdUsUX4cS1NQkl1fu4--Pu3YKzITo0vhHo_rLjp67l4JO1sXOXQl1FHmaZmGpQ3fiawpgnkDDLR1VHPF5OgYOksL8ZJg2bIfUjWVjlVeQ6nF46xB5RPrBkv7ymON5RGKMgKf5Y2K7JdzY7m0pUmAYFgoXBz8oTAuy9CLxhPYyq3snCwwSBVnX_hFNS?purpose=inline)

Parents and grandparents

The Parent Resident Visa provides a permanent settlement pathway, subject to sponsorship income, health, English and selection requirements.

### Parent Resident Visa: an important current example

As at 31 October 2026, Immigration New Zealand's rules provide:

- 2,500 Parent Resident Visas each year.
- A sponsoring adult child who is a New Zealand citizen or resident.
- Income requirements for the sponsoring child.
- An expression-of-interest and invitation process.
- English-language and health requirements for applicants.

A recent change introduced on 5 October 2026 means approximately 90% of applications are selected in date order and 10% through a random ballot. [Parent Resident Visa » Immigration New Zealand](https://www.immigration.govt.nz/visas/parent-resident-visa/)[ACT New Zealand](https://www.act.org.nz/news/act-delivers-for-families-stuck-in-parent-visa-lottery)

There is also the Parent Boost Visa, introduced by the National-led government. It allows eligible parents to visit for up to five years with multiple entries, provided they meet the relevant insurance, health and financial requirements. It does not provide permanent residence. [Bringing families together with Parent Boost](https://www.national.org.nz/news/20250608-honericastandford-parent-boost-visa)[Bringing family to New Zealand :: Immigration New Zealand](https://www.immigration.govt.nz/process-to-apply/once-you-have-a-visa/bringing-family-to-new-zealand/)

Official information:

- [Immigration New Zealand – Bringing family to New Zealand](https://www.immigration.govt.nz/process-to-apply/once-you-have-a-visa/bringing-family-to-new-zealand/?utm_source=chatgpt.com)
- [Parent Resident Visa](https://www.immigration.govt.nz/visas/parent-resident-visa/?utm_source=chatgpt.com)

## 6. How to think about these policies when voting

New Zealand uses the Mixed Member Proportional (MMP) electoral system.

You generally have two votes:

1. Party vote: You choose the political party you want represented in Parliament. This largely determines each party's share of parliamentary seats.
2. Electorate vote: You choose the candidate you want to represent your local electorate.

A party's immigration policy matters because parties often need to negotiate with other parties to form a government. A party's campaign promises are not automatically implemented just because it enters Parliament.

For your research, I suggest considering these six questions:

| Question | Why it matters |
| --- | --- |
| Will migrants receive English-language support? | Language skills help with employment and independence. |
| Will migrants receive help finding work? | Important for using overseas qualifications and experience. |
| Will workers be protected from exploitation? | Particularly important for people dependent on employer-sponsored visas. |
| Can partners join their families easily? | Affects family stability and relationships. |
| Can parents obtain residence? | Important for family care and maintaining relationships across generations. |
| Will immigration rules remain predictable? | Families often make long-term financial and personal decisions based on these rules. |

## 7. Where to find reliable information

These resources can help you compare policies without relying exclusively on campaign advertising.

- [Policy.nz – Compare 2026 election policies](https://policy.nz/2026/party-vote/policies/migration?utm_source=chatgpt.com): Compare parties by issue.
- [Electoral Commission](https://www.elections.nz/?utm_source=chatgpt.com): Understand voting and enrolment.
- [Immigration New Zealand](https://www.immigration.govt.nz/?utm_source=chatgpt.com): Check actual visa eligibility and rules.
- [Green Party 2026 manifesto](https://www.greens.org.nz/manifesto_2026?utm_source=chatgpt.com).
- [Labour immigration policy](https://www.labour.org.nz/immigration?utm_source=chatgpt.com).
- [New Zealand First immigration proposals](https://www.nzfirst.nz/nz_first_announces_immigration_reform_policies?utm_source=chatgpt.com).

Remember to distinguish between three things: what the law currently says, what a party promises to change, and what it might actually be able to implement through a coalition government.

## 8. One question that would make the comparison more useful

You mentioned that you have recently become a citizen. The most important family immigration issue may depend on which relatives you hope to bring to New Zealand.

Which family members are you most interested in bringing to New Zealand?

I can then prepare a more detailed, plain-English comparison of what each party proposes for your family situation, including the likely differences between temporary visas, residence and permanent settlement.

Your vote is your own decision. The aim is to make sure you can understand the choices and the practical consequences before making it.

## Gemini

Answer ID: 05f1f2a6-56bb-4502-9b0e-d7c761f30b87

Congratulations on becoming a New Zealand citizen! Exercising your right to vote is a powerful way to shape the future of your new home. 

The political landscape splits quite clearly when it comes to immigration, settlement support, and family reunification. Parties view immigration through different lenses—ranging from economic utility and controlled population growth to social equity and humanitarian obligations.

---

### 1. Settlement Support and Migrant Integration

Parties differ significantly on how welcoming or restrictive integration policies should be, particularly regarding social support, welfare access, and pathways for those already settled.

*   **The National Party (Incumbent / Center-Right):** 
    *   *Approach:* Pragmatic, economic-driven, and focused on managing current settings. 
    *   *Settlement & Rules:* Continues its "Going for Growth" framework and recent Skilled Migrant Category adjustments. While leading the coalition, National has resisted the most extreme restrictions proposed by some of its partners (such as abolishing permanent resident visas outright).
*   **The Labour Party (Center-Left):**
    *   *Approach:* Focuses on infrastructure-aligned planning and social equity, explicitly pushing back against anti-migrant rhetoric.
    *   *Settlement & Rules:* Emphasizes protection against migrant exploitation, orientation support, and civic education. However, Labour has also proposed doubling the timeframe required to transition temporary settings to permanent residence, balancing managed growth with social protection.
*   **New Zealand First (Nationalist / Populist):**
    *   *Approach:* Highly restrictive, favoring "smart, controlled" numbers tied directly to infrastructure capacity.
    *   *Settlement & Rules:* Proposes major hurdles for newcomers, including doubling the qualifying period for permanent residency and citizenship from 5 to 10 years, enforcing a 10-year stand-down on accessing welfare/benefits, and restricting voting rights exclusively to citizens (though you are a citizen, this affects broader migrant communities). 
*   **ACT New Zealand (Libertarian / Right):**
    *   *Approach:* Market-driven labor supply with strict behavioral and welfare boundaries.
    *   *Settlement & Rules:* Focuses on matching visas directly to economic gaps. They propose a 5-year welfare stand-down for new migrants and have pushed to replace traditional permanent resident visas with renewable residency frameworks.
*   **The Green Party (Left):**
    *   *Approach:* Pro-migrant, human-rights focused, and critical of blaming migrants for systemic issues like housing or low wages.
    *   *Settlement & Rules:* Favors expanding humanitarian pathways, easing settlement barriers, and offering robust state support to ensure new residents can integrate smoothly without facing economic precarity.

---

### 2. Rules Affecting Family Members (Family Reunification)

Bringing parents, partners, or children to New Zealand is a major priority for many migrants. The parties take divergent stances on how accessible these pathways should be:

*   **Labour:** Has historically focused on reviewing and refining family and parent visa categories (such as reviewing financial thresholds for parent visas) to make them more realistic for working families, while keeping public infrastructure constraints in mind.
*   **National / ACT:** Generally balance family reunification against fiscal and healthcare system impacts. Their settings tend to emphasize that sponsors must demonstrate robust financial self-sufficiency so that incoming family members do not place an immediate burden on public health or welfare systems. 
*   **New Zealand First:** Tends to be the most restrictive regarding family and parent categories, arguing that unrestricted family reunification places unsustainable pressure on health, education, and housing infrastructure. 
*   **Green Party:** Generally supports more compassionate and flexible family reunification policies, arguing that community well-being and mental health depend heavily on being able to live close to extended family members.

---

### Summary Checklist for Your Vote

When deciding which party aligns best with your values:
*   If you value **stricter caps, longer waiting periods for residency/citizenship, and tighter welfare rules**, parties like **NZ First** or **ACT** align closer with those mechanisms.
*   If you value **infrastructure-aligned planning combined with protections against exploitation and a rejection of anti-migrant rhetoric**, **Labour** represents a middle path.
*   If you value **welcoming humanitarian pathways, easier family/settlement integration, and social support**, the **Greens** advocate strongly for those positions.

Since you are now a citizen, what matters most to you personally when looking at New Zealand's future—economic openness, or stricter controls on population growth?

## Google AI Mode

Answer ID: 17e0fe32-77c9-412b-941f-81030286be2d

Congratulations on becoming a New Zealand citizen! Navigating a new political and social system—especially as an English-as-a-second-language speaker—is a major milestone.

How New Zealand's Voting System Works

New Zealand uses the **Mixed Member Proportional (MMP)** voting system. As a voter, you get **two main votes** :

 1. **The Party Vote:** This is your most powerful vote. It determines the overall proportion of seats each party gets in Parliament, which generally dictates which party or coalition forms the government.
 2. **The Electorate Vote:** This elects the local Member of Parliament (MP) who represents your specific geographic area.

* * *

How Parties Compare on Settlement and Family Migration

Different political parties hold distinct philosophies on immigration, settlement support, and family reunification rules. Below is an overview of major party positions based on their policy platforms and manifestos for the 2026 general election cycle:

 * **New Zealand Labour Party:**
 * _Migration & Settlement:_ Labour's policy approach emphasizes structured, long-term planning through a government policy statement. In their 2026 manifesto, they proposed doubling the required time spent in New Zealand from two years to four years before qualifying for permanent residence.
 * _Family & Settlement Support:_ Labour has historically signaled support for reviewing financial criteria around parent/family visa categories to balance family reunification with economic and infrastructure pressures.
 * You can read more about their platform via RNZ. Labour releases manifesto collating policies ahead of electionNZ Election 2026: Immigration Policy by Party | Living in NZ

 * **New Zealand National Party:**
 * _Migration & Settlement:_ National's approach generally focuses on economic alignment through streamlined settings (such as their "Going for Growth" and Skilled Migrant Category frameworks). They have emphasized attracting skilled labor to support economic productivity while maintaining standard permanent residency pathways.
 * _Family & Settlement Support:_ National tends to balance migrant inflow with capacity constraints in housing and public services, keeping settings tied closely to workforce shortages rather than broad expansions of family reunification categories.

 * **ACT New Zealand:**
 * _Migration & Settlement:_ ACT advocates for tighter constraints on welfare access for new arrivals—such as a 5-year welfare bar for certain categories—and has proposed shifting settings away from permanent resident visas toward renewable temporary-to-long-term pathways.
 * _Family & Settlement Support:_ ACT emphasizes market-driven, work-linked migration over broader humanitarian or family-based entry systems, prioritizing economic utility.

 * **New Zealand First:**
 * _Migration & Settlement:_ NZ First takes a restrictionist stance on immigration settings. Their platform includes proposals for longer residency and citizenship qualifying periods (such as extending thresholds up to 10 years), higher fees, and holding a public referendum on annual permanent migration caps.
 * _Family & Settlement Support:_ They generally favor tightening eligibility criteria across student, work, and family reunion categories to reduce net migration numbers.

 * **Green Party / Te Pāti Māori:**
 * _Migration & Settlement:_ The Green Party generally opposes restrictive or anti-migrant rhetoric and advocates for more compassionate, human-rights-centered pathways for migrants and refugees already in the country.
 * _Family & Settlement Support:_ They lean toward more inclusive settlement support systems, smoother pathways to residency, and broader criteria for family reunification.

* * *

Helpful Tools to Compare Further

To explore specific policy comparisons side-by-side or check local electorate candidates in your native language or plain English, you can use these neutral resources:

 * Compare exact party stances on the Policy.nz Migration Guide.

 * Check your voting details, find local voting places, or confirm enrolment status at the official [Vote.nz](https://vote.nz) portal.

## AI Overviews

Answer ID: 4acde00e-2f65-4015-ae73-0e0b63de0b8a

Congratulations on becoming a New Zealand citizen! Stepping into your first election is a milestone, and navigating the political landscape in a second language is highly commendable.

For the **2026 New Zealand General Election** , political parties hold contrasting visions regarding settlement support and family reunification for migrants. Below is a direct comparison of the major parties' policies to help you understand your options.

Summary Comparison: Family Visas and Settlement

Political Party| Position on Parent & Family Reunification| Settlement & Residency Rules
---|---|---
**National Party**| **Changed Parent Visas** to a hybrid selection system (90% queue order, 10% ballot). Expediting partner visas.| Prefers a skill-focused system; maintaining existing pathways.
**Labour Party**| **Promises a financial review** of Parent Visas and proposed visa-waiver travel for Pacific Island family members.| Wants to **double the wait time** for Permanent Residency from 2 to 4 years. Proposes a new migrant civic education program.
**Green Party**| Strongly advocates for **easier family reunification** , lowering income thresholds, and creating humanitarian visas for families in conflict zones.| Focuses on robust funding for refugee and migrant settlement programs and Te Tiriti (Treaty of Waitangi) education.
**ACT Party**| Supports family unification in principle but maintains a strict focus on economic criteria.| Proposes **abolishing Permanent Resident visas** entirely and placing a 5-year welfare benefit bar on new migrants.
**New Zealand First**| Seeks **strict limits** on non-essential migration and high fees.| Proposes extending the wait time for Permanent Residency to 5 years and the wait time for **citizenship to 10 years**.

* * *

Detailed Policy Breakdown

1\. National Party (Current Lead Coalition Partner)

 * **Family Reunification:** The National-led government altered the [Parent Resident Visa Expression of Interest (EOI) process](https://www.immigration.govt.nz/visas/parent-resident-visa/). Moving away from a pure lottery ballot system, 90% of applicants are now selected in chronological queue order, while 10% remain in a ballot to give newer applicants a chance. National also pledged in its [100-Day Plan](https://www.national.org.nz/policies/100-day-plan-secure-future) to fast-track and prioritize visitor and partner visas for spouses met overseas.

 * **Settlement:** National prioritizes a skilled-migrant framework to boost economic growth and has introduced targeted residency pathways for highly skilled workers to counteract net emigration.

2\. Labour Party (Official Opposition)

 * **Family Reunification:** Labour’s [2026 Manifesto](https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/politics/2220227/labour-releases-manifesto-collating-policies-ahead-of-election) pledges to review the strict financial criteria currently required to sponsor parents, aiming to make parent visas more accessible. They have also proposed a cheap electronic travel authority ($14–$23) to grant three-month visa waivers for Pacific Island Forum citizens to visit family in New Zealand without expensive standard visas.

 * **Settlement:** To ensure infrastructure keeps up with growth, Labour proposes doubling the timeline required to get a Permanent Resident visa from 2 years to 4 years. They plan to bundle this extension with a formal New Zealand orientation and civic education program to improve settlement outcomes. awaaz.co.nz

3\. Green Party

 * **Family Reunification:** The Green Party of Aotearoa New Zealand strongly opposes high financial barriers for parent visas, arguing that family reunification shouldn't be reserved only for wealthy migrants. They advocate for lowering sponsor income thresholds and clearing visa backlogs. They also push for special humanitarian visas for family members trapped in overseas conflict zones. greens.org.nzLabour releases manifesto collating policies ahead of election

 * **Settlement:** The Greens focus heavily on migrant welfare, proposing that settlement resources and cultural education—specifically regarding Te Tiriti o Waitangi (The Treaty of Waitangi)—be properly funded and integrated for new arrivals. ammlaw.co.nz

4\. ACT and New Zealand First (Minor Coalition Parties)

 * **ACT:** ACT emphasizes fiscal self-sufficiency. They propose a 5-year bar on accessing public welfare benefits for newly arrived migrants and want to eliminate the Permanent Resident visa class entirely, replacing it with renewable period visas.

 * **New Zealand First:** Holding the strictest immigration platform, New Zealand First wishes to significantly reduce net migration numbers to protect housing and infrastructure. They campaign to increase the residency requirement for citizenship from 5 years to 10 years, and push for higher visa application fees. nzfirst.nz

Next Steps for Voting

As a new citizen, you have two votes under New Zealand's Mixed Member Proportional (MMP) system: the **Party Vote** (which determines how many total seats a party gets in Parliament) and the **Electorate Vote** (for your local MP). The Party Vote is the most powerful tool for influencing overall immigration policy. policy.nzPolicies for Party vote - NZ Election 2026 - Policy.nz

You can read through the comprehensive, independent tool Policy.nz Migration Guide to directly compare fully detailed party manifestos side-by-side before voting day. policy.nz