Settled residency pathway and overstayer regularisation
What it actually does
The Greens propose giving residency to people who have lived in New Zealand for five years, ending the 12-month stand-down that requires some workers to leave between visas, and letting migrant workers change jobs. Immigration spokesperson Ricardo Menéndez March defended a regularisation programme for about 20,000 overstayers; party policy also seeks a higher refugee quota.
Source: RNZ · 2026-09
The Trump take
“Amnesty! Twenty thousand overstayers, and they say 'welcome, have a residency'. In my country we have a word for that, and the word is 'no'.”parody
Why it scored this way
Immigration
Amnesty-style pathway for overstayers and easier residency
-2
Hates it
On the same topics
Extend deportation liability for serious offenders from 10 to 20 years
The Immigration (Enhanced Risk Management) Amendment Bill would extend the period during which a resident who commits serious crimes can be made liable for deportation from 10 years of residence to 20 years. The Government introduced it in March 2026.
Six-point immigration plan
ACT proposes deporting resident visa holders convicted of offences carrying 10-year-plus sentences regardless of time in New Zealand, a $6 daily charge on temporary work visa holders, a five-year stand-down from welfare for new residents, and a dedicated Immigration NZ unit targeting an estimated 20,000 overstayers. It also proposes higher English requirements for some visas and an annual review of the skilled jobs list.
NZ Super for citizens only from 2029
NZ First would make New Zealand citizenship a condition of receiving NZ Superannuation from 2029, after a three-year transition. Permanent residents and residence-class visa holders can currently qualify, and Peters has signalled some benefits such as Jobseeker could also require citizenship.