14/10/2026
The NZ Election is three and a bit weeks away and immigration policy is coming out fast. NZ First said on Sunday it wants to scrap the AEWV. We’ve had a few worried messages since so here’s a quick vibe check on where each party sits, as at 14 October.
National: “Already done it.” Reworked the skilled residence pathway, English tests for more visa roles, and a fix for the parent visa queue. The pitch is their record so far rather than a new promise.
Labour: “Plan for a plan.” A policy statement setting immigration against housing and infrastructure, four years instead of two before permanent residence, workers able to change employers after three months, and a visa waiver for Pacific Forum countries.
ACT: “Measured and paid for.” Shortage lists that lapse every year unless proven again, no welfare for five years, a $6-a-day levy on temporary work visas, and an overstayer unit.
NZ First: “Start again.” Replace the AEWV with a shortage-based visa, five years to permanent residence, ten to citizenship, a referendum on capping residence at 20,000 a year, and no welfare for ten years.
Greens: “Open the door wider.” Amnesty for overstayers, visa pathways for people displaced by climate change, a Pacific visa waiver, and the same pay and conditions for migrant workers as locals.
Te Pāti Māori: “Not this election.” No immigration policy this time. The campaign is about Te Tiriti and the constitution.
Opportunity: “Population plan.” Steady, predictable migration tied to what the country can build, with a focus on high-skill people.
The part that matters if you hold a visa or employ someone who does is that none of this is law. Nothing changes before 7 November and most of it won’t change quickly after. Campaign promises go through coalition talks, Cabinet, policy drafting, then rules for who the change applies to and from when.
Some of it may never happen. Some of it will arrive in a different shape. We’ve watched this cycle for twenty years and the gap between what’s promised now and what’s in the instructions a year later is usually wide.
So: keep your visa valid, keep your documents in order and don’t make big decisions based on a press release.
If you’re unsure where you stand send us a message or email.
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