Immigration is one of New Zealand's most consequential policy levers — shaping the labour market, housing demand, public services and the broader economy — and few areas have swung as sharply this decade. After the borders reopened, the country recorded the largest migration inflow in its history, then watched the annual net gain collapse to a decade low, all while debate raged over whether migrants fill genuine skills shortages or whether poorly designed visa rules enable exploitation.

What's happening:

• Net migration hit a record annual gain of approximately 135,500 in the year to October 2023, an unprecedented post-Covid surge driven by 245,600 migrant arrivals.
• The annual net gain then fell sharply, reaching 14,200 in the 2025 calendar year — the lowest since 2013 (excluding the Covid-closed 2021 period) — made up of 134,000 arrivals against 119,800 departures, published by Stats NZ on 12 February 2026.
• The fall is partly driven by New Zealanders departing: a net 40,000 NZ citizens left in 2025 (after a net loss of 43,700 in 2024), offset by a net gain of 54,200 non-citizens. The related brain drain to Australia tracks the outflow of working-age New Zealanders.
• By March 2026, annual net migration had rebounded to 24,200, suggesting the trough may have passed.
• The Accredited Employer Work Visa (AEWV), launched July 2022, has approved over 196,000 applications; about 94,000 holders are current as of mid-2026.
• An independent review led by Jenn Bestwick, released 27 February 2024, found that between July 2022 and June 2023 Immigration NZ prioritised fast processing over guarding against exploitation, contributing to widespread migrant abuse.
• Effective 10 March 2025, the government removed the median-wage floor for the AEWV (then $31.61/hour), leaving the minimum wage as the only pay floor, cut the work-experience requirement from three years to two, and extended visa length for lower-skilled roles.
• From 9 March 2026, the immigration median wage rose to $35.00/hour (up from $33.56) and 47 additional occupations were added to the new National Occupation List.
• The Immigration (Enhanced Risk Management) Amendment Bill was introduced on 18 March 2026, raising the maximum sentence for migrant exploitation from 7 to 10 years and extending deportation liability periods up to 20 years for serious offending.

Where the parties stand:

• Immigration Minister Erica Stanford (National) frames the changes as making the system "responsive and fit for purpose." She argued the median wage requirement "distorted wages" and that operational reforms cut accreditation processing times from 62 days to 14. Stanford introduced the 2026 bill as "firm but fair," targeting a "small number of asylum seekers" with serious convictions while strengthening protections against exploitation (Beehive).
• NZ First (Deputy PM Winston Peters) has repeatedly warned against "loose," "mass," and "unfettered immigration" and has clashed with coalition partners over skilled-migrant residency pathways, breaking with the government over one such proposal.
• ACT Party leader David Seymour announced a $6 daily levy on migrant workers to fund infrastructure — a proposal Stanford publicly criticised as "populist" and "kneejerk."
• Labour and Greens have both criticised the 2026 bill's deportation expansions as election-year politicking that disproportionately impacts vulnerable migrants and children. The Green Party's immigration policy advocates for equal pay conditions for temporary workers and a Pacific Passport enabling free movement.
• The NZ Council of Trade Unions (NZCTU) opposes loosening pay floors. President Richard Wagstaff has called the AEWV scheme evidence of "systemic and widespread exploitation" requiring fundamental overhaul, not tweaks (NZCTU).
• The Human Rights Commission's Equal Opportunities Commissioner Saunoamaali'i Dr Karanina Sumeo stated in August 2024 that the AEWV "may be enabling potential human trafficking, with signs of systemic migrant exploitation and modern slavery." The Commission recommended decoupling visas from specific employers.
• Anu Kaloti, president of the Migrant Workers Association, has raised concern that the removal of the median wage floor leaves room for underpayment, citing documented cases of workers paid below their stated offer.
• Immigration pressure on housing is a recurring theme; see the related Housing and development issue.

What to watch:

• Whether the 2026 rebound in net migration continues, or whether structural outflows of New Zealanders to Australia persist regardless of migrant inflows.
• Whether the Immigration (Enhanced Risk Management) Amendment Bill passes before the 2026 election, and whether its deportation-expansion provisions survive legal challenge.
• Whether ethical recruitment obligations and compliance enforcement — recommended since 2024 — are actually resourced and implemented, reducing exploitation of workers in lower-skilled roles.
• Public opinion data (Ipsos, February 2026) shows immigration ranked only 11th in voter concerns at 8%; 43% of respondents said immigration levels were "about right" (Helen Clark Foundation, April 2026) — meaning political rhetoric may be running ahead of voter concern.

_Neutrality note: Immigration levels and settings are contested across party lines and among affected communities. Positions above are attributed to named individuals and organisations; this entry does not advocate for higher or lower immigration or endorse any particular party's approach._