Party vote
Migration
After grinding to a halt in 2020, immigration levels have now returned to pre-pandemic levels, with NZ gaining over 72,000 people in the year to April. Although not as contentious an issue as in some previous elections, there remain big differences between the parties’ stances. Some emphasise the role of immigration in boosting economic growth, while others emphasise the need to protect the rights of migrants once they’re here.
Migration
After grinding to a halt in 2020, immigration levels have now returned to pre-pandemic levels, with NZ gaining over 72,000 people in the year to April. Although not as contentious an issue as in some previous elections, there remain big differences between the parties’ stances. Some emphasise the role of immigration in boosting economic growth, while others emphasise the need to protect the rights of migrants once they’re here.
Streamline NZ's immigration system
Abolish the Ministry for Ethnic Communities
Provide more residency pathways for migrants
Repeal the health test for migrants and refugees
Make work visas independent from specific employers
Provide resettlement assistance for the families of refugees and migrants
Ensure individuals with Māori heritage are eligible for citizenship
Reinstate the 10-year residency requirement for superannuation eligibility
Seek mutual healthcare, welfare support, and visa agreements with other countries
Replace the Recognised Seasonal Employer scheme
Reform policies to support Rainbow asylum seekers, refugees, and migrants
Consider reducing immigration to reduce housing demand
Oppose border closures
Offer automatic six-month work visas to qualified nurses and midwives from overseas
Provide relocation grants to up to 1000 qualified overseas nurses or midwives
Increase the cap on seasonal workers
Explore increasing the number of countries eligible for the Recognised Seasonal Employer scheme
Relax rules for agricultural workers on the Accredited Employer Work Visa
Increase fees for visas
Make it easier for the construction sector to access skilled migrant workers
Raise upper age limit for working holiday visas to 35
Allow additional working holiday visas for people in sectors with worker shortages
Abolish median wage requirements for work visas
Relax rules for employers in the Recognised Seasonal Employer scheme
Allow migrant workers to pay domestic rates for industry training
Create visa for recent graduates from top universities
Create a visa for workers from major tech companies
Create a 'digital nomad' visa
Introduce a visa for parents or grandparents of migrants who are NZ citizens and residents
Allow international students to work more hours while studying
Expand international student recruitment to more countries
Increase the length of time international postgrad students can work after finishing study
Enable partners of international students doing degree level qualifications to work in NZ
Ensure courses which allow international students the right to work post-study reflect skills shortages
Reduce the minimum salary requirement for skilled worker visas
Review the Accredited Employer Work Visa
Create a visa to encourage workers to regions other than Auckland
Require investor visa applicants to fund refugee resettlement
Encourage dental clinics to hire workers from overseas
Increase overseas recruitment of senior medical workers
Introduce a visa for parents or grandparents of migrants who are NZ citizens and residents
Provide visas for overstayers who have been in NZ for more than 10 years
Require search warrants to conduct out-of-hours immigration visits
Streamline NZ's immigration system
Abolish the Ministry for Ethnic Communities
Provide more residency pathways for migrants
Repeal the health test for migrants and refugees
Make work visas independent from specific employers
Provide resettlement assistance for the families of refugees and migrants
Ensure individuals with Māori heritage are eligible for citizenship
Reinstate the 10-year residency requirement for superannuation eligibility
Seek mutual healthcare, welfare support, and visa agreements with other countries
Replace the Recognised Seasonal Employer scheme
Reform policies to support Rainbow asylum seekers, refugees, and migrants
Consider reducing immigration to reduce housing demand
Oppose border closures
Offer automatic six-month work visas to qualified nurses and midwives from overseas
Provide relocation grants to up to 1000 qualified overseas nurses or midwives
Increase the cap on seasonal workers
Explore increasing the number of countries eligible for the Recognised Seasonal Employer scheme
Relax rules for agricultural workers on the Accredited Employer Work Visa
Increase fees for visas
Make it easier for the construction sector to access skilled migrant workers
Raise upper age limit for working holiday visas to 35
Allow additional working holiday visas for people in sectors with worker shortages
Abolish median wage requirements for work visas
Relax rules for employers in the Recognised Seasonal Employer scheme
Allow migrant workers to pay domestic rates for industry training
Create visa for recent graduates from top universities
Create a visa for workers from major tech companies
Create a 'digital nomad' visa
Introduce a visa for parents or grandparents of migrants who are NZ citizens and residents
Allow international students to work more hours while studying
Expand international student recruitment to more countries
Increase the length of time international postgrad students can work after finishing study
Enable partners of international students doing degree level qualifications to work in NZ
Ensure courses which allow international students the right to work post-study reflect skills shortages
Reduce the minimum salary requirement for skilled worker visas
Review the Accredited Employer Work Visa
Create a visa to encourage workers to regions other than Auckland
Require investor visa applicants to fund refugee resettlement
Encourage dental clinics to hire workers from overseas
Increase overseas recruitment of senior medical workers
Introduce a visa for parents or grandparents of migrants who are NZ citizens and residents
Provide visas for overstayers who have been in NZ for more than 10 years
Require search warrants to conduct out-of-hours immigration visits
Policies
Compare the parties’ positions on the key issues this election
Candidates
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Parties
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Compare the candidates running in your local area
Each part of the country is represented in Parliament by an electorate MP. We've asked every candidate about their priorities for your community and why they deserve your vote.
