Story perspectives

ACT Unveils Five-Year Welfare Ban, Enforcement Unit for Migrants

5/3/2026

Summary

Story summary

The Act party unveiled a six-point plan denying welfare to new residence-class visa holders for five years and creating an enforcement unit.
Act leader David Seymour, also Deputy Prime Minister, announced the plan for the 2026 election and criticised previous governments for using skilled migration as a general-purpose labour source.
The party said the plan will attract migrants who share New Zealand values and agree to abide by the country’s rules.

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Story summary

The Act party unveiled a six-point plan denying welfare to new residence-class visa holders for five years and creating an enforcement unit.
Act leader David Seymour, also Deputy Prime Minister, announced the plan for the 2026 election and criticised previous governments for using skilled migration as a general-purpose labour source.
The party said the plan will attract migrants who share New Zealand values and agree to abide by the country’s rules.