Reviewed by John Hu, founder of John Hu Migration Consulting and Registered Migration Agent (MARN 0746141).
New Zealand’s general election is scheduled for Saturday, 7 November 2026. On 11 September, New Zealand First announced campaign proposals covering immigration and citizenship. These are party campaign commitments, not current law or policies already in force. Whether they proceed will depend on the election outcome and any subsequent parliamentary process.
Key Immigration Proposals from New Zealand First
The following points summarise the party’s official campaign statement. They are proposals, not measures adopted by the Government:
- Tighter birthright citizenship: The party proposes limiting automatic citizenship at birth to children of New Zealand citizens. Current law also covers certain cases where a parent is entitled to reside in New Zealand indefinitely; see the Citizenship Act 1977.
- Separate extensions to citizenship and permanent-residence timelines: It proposes increasing the citizenship residence period from the current five years to at least 10 years, and increasing the period before eligibility for permanent residence from two years to five years. These are two distinct proposals; it is not a single change from five to 10 years for both.
- Higher citizenship and permanent-residence application fees: The party says the proposed increases would reflect the value of status and support the operation of the immigration system.
- Changes to asylum seekers’ work rights: It proposes changing eligibility and limiting temporary work rights while an asylum claim is being considered. The eventual scope would depend on policy detail and any future legislation.
- A 10-year welfare stand-down for visa holders: The party proposes that non-citizens would not qualify for Jobseeker Support, accommodation supplements or other welfare assistance during their first 10 years in New Zealand.
Rationale cited in the platform
The party’s campaign material cites resident-visa grants, population movement and housing demand as context for its proposals. The figures below are reported as cited by the party and should not be read as proof that its proposals have been adopted or that the underlying analysis is a Government conclusion:
- The platform states that 212,649 resident visas were granted under the 2021 Resident Visa programme, with grants exceeding 10,000 in some months.
- Immigration figures cited in the platform estimate net departures of New Zealand citizens at 72,700 in the year to September 2025 and 63,900 in the year to June 2026. These figures follow the statistical definitions cited in the party document.
- As at 30 June 2026, 19,002 eligible applicants were on the public housing register awaiting a match, according to the Ministry of Social Development. The party also proposes prioritising citizens for social housing allocation. See the Ministry’s public housing register statistics.
Responses from other parties
According to RNZ reporting republished by Scoop, Labour spokesperson Phil Twyford argued against scapegoating migrants and supported practical, pro-immigration policies that maintain public confidence. Green Party spokesperson Ricardo Menendez March said low wages and tax settings were not caused by migrants and criticised politicians’ hard-line anti-immigration rhetoric.
What this means for people planning to move to New Zealand
These remain campaign proposals, not current law. For Hong Kong applicants who are considering or have begun an immigration process, the following points are relevant:
- The post-election direction is not yet known: The election is scheduled for 7 November 2026. The result and any later legislative process will determine whether these proposals advance. Follow official announcements for changes.
- The current rules have not changed because of the platform: Citizenship generally requires living in New Zealand as a resident for the previous five years and meeting physical-presence requirements. Permanent residence usually requires holding a resident visa continuously for at least 24 months and meeting one of the commitment-to-New-Zealand criteria. See the official guidance for citizenship presence requirements and permanent residence.
- Starting early does not guarantee protection from future changes: Building a timeline early can help applicants understand their position, but no transition or retrospective arrangements have been confirmed. Skilled-migration and AIP applicants should separately check the residence-visa and citizenship requirements; holding a particular visa does not automatically satisfy citizenship criteria.
Frequently asked questions
Is the New Zealand First platform official New Zealand Government policy?
No. These are campaign commitments announced ahead of the 2026 general election, not current law or policies in force. Whether and how they are implemented would depend on the election result, government formation and any later legislative process.
Will these proposals affect an application already under way for skilled migration or AIP?
Not at this stage. A campaign platform does not immediately change current legislation or application requirements. Follow official updates after the 7 November 2026 election. For advice on an individual timeline, consult a licensed immigration adviser.
For more on current New Zealand skilled-migration and investment pathways, see our guides to the Skilled Migrant Category reform and the Active Investor Plus Visa.
Outcomes, processing times and future status arrangements depend on the applicant’s circumstances, the project, the completeness of the documents and official assessment requirements. This article reports a political party’s campaign position and does not represent current policy or JHM’s position on the political issue. Please refer to official announcements for actual policy developments. This content is for general information only and does not guarantee approval or constitute investment advice.
John Hu Migration Consulting is among the Hong Kong firms with both Australian (MARA) and New Zealand (IAA) licensed immigration advisers. For 17 years, the firm has assisted more than 6,000 families with migration and continues to monitor New Zealand immigration developments.
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To discuss your plans under the current rules, complete our free assessment form and a licensed adviser can help you understand a suitable timeline.