NZ First breaks with Government over ‘unfocused immigration proposal’ to establish two new pathways to residency
New Zealand First is invoking the rarely-used “agree to disagree” clause in its coalition agreement over two new pathways to residency the Government is today announcing for skilled migrants.
The clause has been triggered only a handful of times, with this the first time this term over immigration policy, which is expected to be a significant focus for NZ First at the 2026 election.
Leader Winston Peters said the Government’s two new pathways to residency represented “unfocused immigration proposal”, with his party having concerns it may be used as a stepping stone to Australia.
“We take them in, train them, up-skill them, look after their families, and then they emigrate. How is this an effective immigration policy?” Peters asked.
However, Economic Growth Minister Nicola Willis said today the invoking of the agree to disagree clause reflects “stable coalition management” and from time to time parties have different perspectives on issues.
“We have a different perspective [to NZ First]. We have designed this policy to be really really careful it is a narrow pathway,” Willis said.
“It is NZ First signalling their concerns. We have shared those concerns, so in developing this policy we have been careful there are belts and braces.”
Immigration Minister Erica Stanford has previously said New Zealand’s Skilled Migrant immigration category was not fit-for-purpose, claiming tradies do not have adequate pathways to residency.
One of the new pathways to residency looks to cover that. Called the “Trades and Technician Pathway”, it will “recognise the practical skills needed in industries where sub-degree qualifications are widely used and valued”.
To be eligible to apply under this pathway, migrants in specified skilled roles will need to hold a relevant qualification at Level 4 or above and have at least four years of relevant post-qualification skilled work experience. At least 18 months of this needs to have happened in New Zealand, where they have been paid at or above the median wage.
There’s also a new “Skilled Work Experience Pathway” for migrants in certain skilled roles who have at least five years of directly relevant work experience, including two in New Zealand where they have been paid at least 1.1 times the median wage.
“The Skilled Work Experience pathway is designed to help employers retain experienced workers who are already contributing to New Zealand’s economy and have demonstrated value in their roles,” said Stanford.
She said that to ensure the new pathways are focused on where skilled and experienced migrants are most needed, additional eligibility restrictions will be placed on some occupations.
Further information about the occupations covered by the pathways and their requirements will be provided before the pathways open in mid-2026.
“We are also reducing the amount of time that migrants with New Zealand university qualifications need to work in New Zealand before they can get residence,” Stanford said.
“This is about further incentivising people to study here - and keep contributing after they graduate.”
She said the Government was “carefully balancing attracting higher-skilled workers, while managing migration levels responsibly, and ensuring New Zealanders remain prioritised for jobs”.
“This helps Kiwi businesses access the skills and experience needed to grow the economy, while hiring New Zealanders where they can. These changes are part of a suite of smart, flexible and nuanced immigration solutions we’ve introduced.”
Willis also added that skilled and experienced migrants “play an important role plugging workforce gaps, and in turn helping businesses to grow”.
“Businesses told us it was too hard for some migrants to gain residence, even when they had crucial skills and significant experience that was not available in the existing workforce. We’re fixing it.”
But Peters said New Zealand needed a system that provided young Kiwis with the skills New Zealand needed domestically.
“While we recognise the importance of retaining some critical workers, we have serious concerns about this unfocused immigration proposal,” he said.
“This is why we would support extending existing work visas for those workers already here for another three years to address the short-term demand - not making them residents.
“We cannot maintain this decades-old papering over the cracks for short-term needs.”
Stanford said New Zealand doesn’t need to be concerned about the new pathways being used as a stepping stone to Australia, claiming it is easier to use Australia’s immigration pathways to be a stepping stone to New Zealand.
“It is not something that is happening,” Stanford said.
Asked why NZ First didn’t believe that, Willis said “sometimes they just have a different perspective”.
In the long term, Peters said a “smart immigration system”, focusing on the needs of employers, industry and Kiwi workers, was needed.
The “agree to disagree” clause in the coalition agreements is rarely used. Earlier this year, Act invoked it amid a disagreement over the firearms registry. Act also opposed the Fair Digital News Bargaining Bill and NZ First raised it in relation to the Royal Commission of Inquiry into the Covid-19 response.
Immigration has traditionally been a key area of focus for NZ First, and Peters previously told the Herald he was concerned about “careless” immigration policies overseas “transforming cities”.
At his party conference earlier this month, Peters confirmed NZ First would campaign next year on a “Kiwi values document” for all new migrants.
“If you don’t want to sign up to those values, we have a clear answer; don’t come,” he said.
A similar values statement has been mooted by the Act Party, with minister Brooke van Velden saying she had work under way to take to Cabinet by the end of the year.
Stanford, who has made adjustments to various different visa categories since taking office in 2023, has been vocal in the past about wanting to make changes to the Skilled Migrant Category.
The current set-up requires a migrant to have a skilled registered job, a Bachelor’s qualification or higher, or earn 1.5 times the median wage. There is also the Green List pathway to residency for those with in-demand jobs.
In a speech last year, Stanford said there were limited options for skilled migrants to get residency.
“There is a whole category missing of skilled workers, predominantly in the trades, who may have many years of experience, are well qualified and can help train up Kiwi workers but who have no pathway to residence.
“I know for many employers, it is a source of deep frustration that they cannot retain their skilled workers in trades or manufacturing because they do not have a pathway to residence.”
The Government has already changed the Accredited Employer Work Visa to remove median wage thresholds and reduce the experience required.
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The Gospel’s Relevance Today**
The Gospel, meaning ‘good news’, is the cornerstone of the message contained in the Bible’s first four books—Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John. While these records were written approximately 2,000 years ago, a natural question arises: why is this Gospel still relevant and vital for us today? This analysis seeks to explore what the Bible itself defines as the Gospel and to understand its enduring significance.
**Defining the Gospel: Core Biblical References**
The Gospel is not a vague concept; Scripture provides clear descriptions of its content and focus.
* **The Gospel of the Kingdom:** In Matthew 4:23, as Jesus begins his ministry, he is described as “preaching the gospel of the kingdom.” This immediately establishes that the good news is centrally about a kingdom—the Kingdom of God. His accompanying miracles served to validate the authority of this message.
* **The Gospel of Jesus Christ:** Mark 1:1 opens with, “The beginning of the gospel of Jesus Christ, the Son of God.” Here, “Christ” is a title meaning ‘anointed one’. Thus, the good news is intrinsically about Jesus: his identity as the Anointed One and his unique status as the Son of God.
* **The Gospel of God’s Grace:** In Acts 20:24, the Apostle Paul speaks of his mission to “testify the gospel of the grace of God.” Grace signifies an undeserved gift. This reveals that the Gospel involves a gift from God, offered not because it is merited, but out of His benevolence.
* **The Gospel of Salvation and Peace:** Romans 1:16 declares the Gospel is “the power of God to salvation for everyone who believes,” breaking down barriers between Jew and Gentile (Greek). Furthermore, Romans 10:15 calls it the “gospel of peace,” pointing to a future state of peace brought about by this message.
* **The Gospel Summarised:** 1 Corinthians 15:1-4 provides a foundational summary. Paul reminds believers of the gospel he preached, “by which also you are saved.” He then states its core historical facts: “that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, and that He was buried, and that He rose again the third day according to the Scriptures.” The Gospel is therefore rooted in the sacrificial death and resurrection of Jesus.
In synthesis, the Gospel is the good news of **salvation and future peace in the Kingdom of God**, made possible by **the grace of God** and **the obedient sacrifice of His Son, Jesus Christ**, and offered to all who believe.
**Old Testament Foundations: The Gospel Preached to Abraham**
A crucial question is whether the Gospel is confined to the New Testament. Scripture shows its foundations were laid much earlier. Galatians 3:8 states explicitly that “the Scripture, foreseeing that God would justify the Gentiles by faith, preached the gospel to Abraham beforehand, saying, ‘In you all the nations shall be blessed.’”
This reference points back to Genesis 12:1-3, where God made profound promises to Abraham: to make him a great nation, to bless those who blessed him, and that “in you all the families of the earth shall be blessed.” These promises—later reaffirmed to Isaac and Jacob—form the bedrock of the Gospel hope. The good news of salvation through Christ is the fulfillment of how **all nations** would be blessed through Abraham’s “seed.”
**The Gospel’s Personal Relevance: Good News for You Today**
How does this ancient message become “good news for you” today? The application is clearly outlined in Galatians 3.
* **Access through Faith in Christ:** Galatians 3:26 declares, “For you are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus.” The promise made to Abraham is now extended to anyone with faith in Jesus.
* **The Role of Baptism:** Verse 27 explains, “For as many of you as were baptized into Christ have put on Christ.” Baptism is the God-appointed act of faith that identifies a believer with Christ’s death and resurrection.
* **Unity and Inheritance:** Verses 28-29 reveal the glorious outcome: “There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is neither male nor female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus. And if you are Christ’s, then you are Abraham’s seed, and heirs according to the promise.” Through the Gospel, all barriers are removed; believers become spiritual descendants of Abraham and heirs to the promises of the Kingdom.
This Gospel was once a mystery hidden in God’s purpose (Ephesians 3:3-9). Now, it has been revealed: the unsearchable riches of Christ, offering salvation to all who heed the call, believe the message, and are baptised into him.
**Conclusion: An Enduring and Open Invitation**
The Gospel is far more than a historical account; it is the living, powerful good news of God’s plan for salvation. It is rooted in promises to Abraham, accomplished through the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ, and open to all people without distinction. It offers a tangible hope—the hope of resurrection, peace, and an inheritance in the coming Kingdom of God. This is why the Gospel remains profoundly relevant. It is an invitation to listen, believe, and stand firm in this hope, linking our lives today to the eternal purpose of God.
Poll: 🤖 What skills do you think give a CV the ultimate edge in a robot-filled workplace?
The Reserve Bank has shared some pretty blunt advice: there’s no such thing as a “safe” job anymore 🛟😑
Robots are stepping into repetitive roles in factories, plants and warehouses. AI is taking care of the admin tasks that once filled many mid-level office jobs.
We want to know: As the world evolves, what skills do you think give a CV the ultimate edge in a robot-filled workplace?
Want to read more? The Press has you covered!
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