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New Zealand has given many migrants the chance to build a better life. People come here to work hard, raise families, start businesses, and study.
That opportunity matters. But it also comes with a basic expectation: if you are given the right to live in New Zealand, you must respect New Zealand’s laws.
The Immigration (Enhanced Risk Management) Amendment Bill, now before Parliament, would make our deportation rules stronger for serious criminal offending by residence class visa holders.
At the moment, if a person commits an offence within their first two years of residence, they can be liable for deportation if the offence could lead to a prison sentence of three months or more. Within the first five years, the threshold rises to offences that could lead to two years in prison or more. Within the first ten years, a person can be liable if they are sentenced to five years in prison or more.
The new bill would extend those residence timeframes. The three-month offence threshold would apply for the first five years of residence instead of two. The two-year offence threshold would apply for the first ten years instead of five. The five-year sentence threshold would apply for the first fifteen years instead of ten.
The bill would also create a new rule for very serious crime. A residence class visa holder sentenced to ten years in prison or more could be liable for deportation if the offending happened within twenty years of residence.
The Government’s bill is a welcome step in the right direction. But ACT is proposing to go further: for serious criminal offending, there should be no time limit on the ability to deport a resident who seriously breaks the law.
A violent or predatory crime does not become less serious just because many years have passed. The harm to the victim does not disappear. The consequences should not simply expire because the offender has been in New Zealand for a long time.
There is also a practical question. If someone has lived in New Zealand for twenty years, why have they not become a citizen?
Citizenship is a proud moment. It is the point where a person formally joins the New Zealand family. It comes with full rights, but also full responsibilities.
Of course, not everyone becomes a citizen straight away. People may have personal or family reasons. Some may still feel a strong connection to their country of birth. That is understandable.
But if a long-term resident commits a very serious crime, their immigration status matters.
A resident is not the same as a citizen. Residency is a privilege. Citizenship is permanent membership of the country.
If someone chooses not to become a citizen or cannot become a citizen because they fail the character test, New Zealand should still be able to protect the public.
The character test exists for a reason. It asks a basic question: does this person respect the law and the values of this country?
If a person cannot meet that standard, and then goes on to commit a serious crime, it is hard to argue they should have an unconditional right to stay.
The overwhelming majority of migrants are law-abiding, hardworking people who strengthen New Zealand every day. Many have sacrificed a great deal to come here and build a future. Strong deportation rules protect them too. They protect public safety, public trust, and the value of New Zealand residence.
The principle is simple. If you are not a citizen and you commit a serious crime, you should not be able to rely on the passing of time as a defence.
New Zealand is a welcoming country. But being welcoming does not mean being naïve. Serious crime should have serious consequences. -Dr Parmjeet Parmar, ACT Party Member of Parliament