Longer wait for residency, citizenship path for NZ-born children
What it actually does
Labour would lengthen the time migrants must live in New Zealand before qualifying for permanent residence from two years to four, alongside civic education. It would also let migrants switch accredited employers after three months, protect humanitarian appeals against deportation, create a citizenship pathway for children born in New Zealand, and set immigration goals through a Government Policy Statement.
Source: labour.org.nz · 2026-09
The Trump take
“Four years instead of two — I like that, very tough, maybe they copied me. But then citizenship for kids of illegals? Half a wall, folks. Half a wall is no wall.”parody
Why it scored this way
Immigration
Mixed: doubles the wait for permanent residence, but opens a citizenship path for NZ-born children and protects humanitarian appeals
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Shrugs
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.