NZ First breaks with Govt over ‘unfocused immigration’ in major move

(Image: NZME)

Tue, 23 Sep 2025

New Zealand First is invoking the rarely-used “agree to disagree” clause in its coalition agreement over two new pathways to residency that the Government is announcing for skilled migrants on Tuesday.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 an “unfocused immigration proposal”, wit...

Subscribe to BusinessDesk

Stay informed on business, government and financial developments across New Zealand.

Deeply researched, twice-edited and fact-checked news
Annual subscribers also receive a complimentary subscription to The Wall Street Journal
Personalised email news alerts, plus gift up to 5 stories a month to non-subscribers

You can cancel anytime with two clicks, an email or a phone call.
Find out more.

We are serious about journalism.

Already a Subscriber ? Sign in here.

Name {{ registerForm.errors.get('name') }}

Email address {{ registerForm.errors.get('email') }}

Phone Number {{ registerForm.errors.get('phone') }}

Job Title {{ registerForm.errors.get('title') }}

Password Minimum password length of 8 characters.
Require at least one upper and lowercase, numeric, and special character. {{ registerForm.errors.get('password') }}

Repeat password {{ registerForm.errors.get('password_confirmation') }}

We had trouble validating your card. It's possible your card provider is preventing us from charging the card. Please contact your card provider or customer support.

Credit Card

Cardholder's name

{{ __(plans[index].name) | capitalize }} {{ plans[index].attributes.old_price | currency }} {{ plans[index].price | currency }}

All subscriptions auto renew but are easy to cancel.

I Accept The Terms Of Service

{{ registerForm.errors.get('terms') }}

Tax: {{ taxAmount(selectedPlan) | currency }}

Total Price Including Tax: {{ priceWithTax(selectedPlan) | currency }} {{ selectedPlan.type == 'user' && spark.chargesUsersPerSeat ? '/ '+ spark.seatName : '' }} {{ selectedPlan.type == 'user' && spark.chargesUsersPerTeam ? '/ '+ __('teams.team') : '' }} / {{ __(selectedPlan.interval) | capitalize }}

Primary Sector

Alliance chair warns farmer rescue plan offers ‘false hope’

Five Southland farmers have put together an "alternative" to the Dawn Meats deal.

Riley Kennedy 10:00am

The Quiz Free

QuiznessDesk, Tuesday, Sept 23

Think you're clever enough?

The Quizmaster 9:15am

Primary Sector

Seabed miner wants to list on the NZX

The mining project has been one of the most hotly contested in NZ.

Ian Llewellyn 7:10am

Sponsored

AI agents: opportunity or graveyard? Spark’s five-point playbook for success

Artificial intelligence agents – autonomous digital entities that analyse data, automate decisions, and act independently – are set to drive a new wave of business transformation.

Spark Enterprise

Sponsored

Future leaders start by Dreaming Big

How OnBeingBold empowers Year 13 girls at free leadership events.

OnBeingBold