ACT’s plan to toughen immigration rules announced

ACT has proposed a comprehensive overhaul of the current ACT immigration policy, introducing a six-point plan designed to increase accountability and restore fairness to New Zealand’s immigration system.

ACT leader David Seymour stated that the proposal aims to make the system work more effectively for New Zealand. He argued that while the country needs new migrants for growth and development, the system should only welcome those who share values of democracy, freedom, and tolerance.

Seymour emphasized that success within the country requires a common set of expectations. These include obeying the law, speaking English, contributing to infrastructure, and filling genuine economic gaps.

Addressing Infrastructure and System Failures

The proposal comes amid claims that successive governments have allowed the skilled-migration system to devolve into a “general-purpose labour tap.” Seymour noted that the rate of settlement has overwhelmed the country’s ability to provide necessary infrastructure.

He asserted that previous administrations failed to enforce existing rules and asked too little of those seeking to benefit from the “Kiwi character” without supporting it. The new policy is intended to restore the “basic bargain” upon which New Zealand was built.

The Six-Point Immigration Plan

The proposed policy shakeup includes the deportation of serious offenders, regardless of how long they have resided in the country.

It also calls for the introduction of a five-year welfare stand-down for all residence class visa holders and a $6 per day infrastructure surcharge on temporary work visas, added to existing charges.

Additionally, the plan mandates that basic English language requirements be extended to all work visa types and that categories under Accredited Employer Work visas expire annually.

The final point of the plan is the establishment of a dedicated overstayer enforcement unit within Immigration New Zealand.