Green Party Criticises ACT’s Proposed Permanent Residency Changes

Green Party immigration spokesperson Ricardo Menéndez March says it appears ACT is competing with New Zealand First to see who can come up with the tougher immigration policy.His comments come after ACT announced a proposal to introduce a physical-presence requirement for New Zealand permanent residents. ACT immigration spokesperson Dr Parmjeet Parmar says the policy would “bring balance” to the immigration system and ensure that visa holders have a genuine and ongoing commitment to New Zealand. Under ACT’s proposal, the existing Permanent Resident Visa category would be removed. Existing Resident Visa holders would instead receive a five-year travel facility, replacing the current two-year initial travel condition. To maintain that travel facility, residents would need to spend at least 730 days—two years—in New Zealand during any rolling five-year period. The days would not have to be consecutive. ACT says exemptions would apply to certain people working overseas for New Zealand employers, accompanying family members, military personnel serving overseas, people with a New Zealand citizen spouse, and those with compelling humanitarian circumstances. Speaking to Radio Tarana host Sanjesh Narain, Green Party MP Ricardo Menéndez March criticised ACT’s proposal, saying the party should focus more on the issues that are important to Kiwis rather than pursuing tougher immigration policies.

NZ expresses concern over Nepal-Tibet disaster; five Kiwis reported missing

New Zealand has joined other nations in expressing deep concern and condolences following the catastrophic flash flooding and landslide along the Nepal-Tibet border. Five New Zealanders are among those reported missing after the disaster. Speaking to Radio Tarana host Sanjesh Narain during her weekly interview, ACT MP Dr Parmjeet Parmar said New Zealand officials were maintaining direct contact with authorities in Nepal regarding the situation. Dr Parmar also discussed the Government’s proposed social media restrictions for under-16s. She said ACT would support the Social Media ( Online Safety (Minimum Age and Child Safety Risk Assessment) Bill and suggested the Government should wait to see what changes Meta introduces in response to the proposed restrictions. The legislation currently seeks to require social media platforms to take reasonable steps to prevent under-16s from holding accounts.

Labour’s Carmel Sepuloni says supporters want change, rules out working with NZ First

Labour Party deputy leader Carmel Sepuloni says the party is getting “good vibes” from its supporters and undecided voters, with many telling Labour they want the current Government out. Speaking to Radio Tarana host Sanjesh Narain, Sepuloni said Labour was hearing growing support from voters who were looking for a change in Government. She also reiterated that Labour would not work with NZ First after the next election, citing what she described as repeated racial remarks by the party’s leader and members. Sepuloni said Labour had made its position clear and did not see NZ First as a potential coalition partner. The Labour deputy leader also expressed sadness over reports that party leader Chris Hipkins had been threatened by a member of the public. Sepuloni said she had personally experienced racial abuse, particularly through her social media platforms. She said such comments were distressing, but she remained focused on representing her communities and campaigning for Labour. Sepuloni’s comments come as political parties step up their campaigning and seek to win over undecided voters ahead of the election.