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All parties on Democracy & Government
Democracy & Government · Party position

NZ First on Democracy & Government

Restrict voting to citizens, and settle the Māori seats by referendum.

NZ First is campaigning to change electoral law so that only citizens may vote, and to put the future of the Māori seats to a referendum.

What they say they'll do

  • Change electoral law so only New Zealand citizens can vote in elections
  • Hold a binding referendum on whether the Māori seats in Parliament should be retained
  • Disestablish the unelected Auckland Council Independent Māori Statutory Board (IMSB)
  • Transfer IMSB's functions, property, and obligations back to Auckland Council

Who this affects

Permanent residents
Under this policy, permanent residents who currently qualify to vote would no longer be able to vote in general elections, local elections, or referendums.
Auckland ratepayers
Ratepayers currently fund the IMSB, including around $3.5 million in one recent year; NZ First says removing it would end that cost and make decision-making more accountable to them.
Māori voters
A binding referendum would ask all New Zealanders to decide whether to keep or abolish the dedicated Māori seats in Parliament.

In their own words

“New Zealand First has announced that we will be campaigning to change the electoral law to ensure that only citizens have the right to vote.”
“Ratepayers now pay millions of dollars annually to support IMSB operations, including $3.5 million last year alone, despite having no ability to elect or remove its members.”
“New Zealand First is campaigning for a binding referendum on the future of the Māori seats”
Verify at NZ First — official policy page

Summarised neutrally from NZ First’s own official policy (as at 2026-09-09) and checked by an editor. Nothing is paraphrased without the source linked. Read the original ↗ Arapono is non-partisan. Compare all parties on Democracy & Government →

In depth — from NZ First’s policy document

Restricting the vote to citizens

NZ First would change electoral law so that only New Zealand citizens can vote. Permanent residents can currently vote after two years, and holders of certain visas with no expiry date after one. The party would keep permanent residence as the right to live, work, study and build a life here, while reserving the vote for those who have taken citizenship.

The change
Citizens only
Residents can vote now
After 2 years
Some visa holders
After 1 year
Read the full breakdown3 sections · 4 quotes · 6 open questions

Coverage at a glance

Which party holds a published position on which topic.

Open the compare tool →

Swipe across to see all 11 topics — the party column stays put.

PartyEconomyHousingHealthEducationClimateEnvironmentCrime & JusticeTreaty & Māori AffairsImmigrationForeign PolicyDemocracy & Government
National
Published position∅ No stated position (verified) Not captured yet
Labour∅∅∅∅∅∅
Green
ACT
NZ First
Te Pāti Māori
TOP
Also contesting, without seats in Parliament
Women’s Rights
Animal Justice
ALCP
Conservative
Outdoors & Freedom
Vision NZ
Alliance
Free Palestine
NZ Loyal∅
Te Tai Tokerau∅