Tighten immigration and citizenship rules, including a potential 20k-a-year cap on resident visas

New Zealand First says wants sweeping changes to New Zealand’s immigration settings, including a referendum on capping the number of resident visas to 20,000 a year.

Party leader Winston Peters says handing an NZ First MP the immigration portfolio will be a bottom line in any post-election negotiations, to ensure the changes are implemented.

The policy, available here, includes doubling the qualification period to become a citizen from five years to 10, making all visa holders ineligible for welfare for 10 years, broadening the criteria for deportation, and tightening birthright citizenship requirements so it applies only to the children of citizens.

“For too long, governments have relied on immigration to drive headline economic growth and cheap labour,” Peters said.

“The result has been greater pressure on housing, infrastructure and public services, increased competition for entry-level jobs and declining public confidence that immigration is being managed in the national interest.”