Auckland (The NZ Today)
New Zealand First has announced plans to remove automatic work rights for international students, saying employment opportunities should be prioritised for New Zealand workers.
Under the proposed policy, international students who want to work while studying in New Zealand would need to apply separately for permission and meet additional conditions.
Party leader Winston Peters said international education should remain focused on education rather than becoming an automatic pathway into the labour market or longer-term migration.
NZ First said the policy would require authorities to first consider whether a role could be filled by a New Zealand worker before granting work permission to an international student.
The party has described the proposal as the “Removal of Automatic Work Rights for Student Visa Holders”, arguing it would reduce competition for jobs that could otherwise go to local workers.
Currently, eligible international students can work up to 25 hours per week during their studies, with some able to work full-time during scheduled holidays, depending on their course, age and visa conditions.
The Government increased the maximum work allowance for eligible students from 20 to 25 hours per week in November 2025.
The proposal announced by NZ First is not currently in effect. International students with valid visa conditions can continue working under the existing rules unless any future government changes the settings.
The announcement comes as immigration and labour market policies remain key issues in the election campaign, with parties debating how New Zealand should balance skills shortages, education exports and employment opportunities for locals.
Source: New Zealand First policy announcement; Immigration New Zealand student visa work rights information.
