PM defends ‘Parent Boost’ visa amid claims it excludes Pasifika

Prime Minister Christopher Luxon is defending the Government's new 'Parent Boost' visa, claiming it achieves the right balance despite criticism that it disproportionately favours wealthy families.

Speaking on Pacific Mornings, Luxon says the visa is designed to support migrants who wish to have their parents visit for extended periods.

“We want New Zealand to be a place where skilled migrants choose to come and make this their home,” Luxon says.

The new visa allows parents of New Zealand citizens and residents to have multi-entry access for up to five years.

But critics, including Auckland barrister Nalesoni Tupou, argue that the financial and insurance requirements severely limit its benefits for most Pacific families.

To qualify, applicants must have at least one year of health insurance covering $250,000 for emergency care, $100,000 for cancer treatment, and costs associated with repatriation and the return of remains.

This insurance must be maintained for the entire duration of their stay in New Zealand.

They must also meet financial requirements: the sponsor must earn the median wage ($33.56/hr), the parent must earn at least $32,611.28, or they must have personal funds of $160,000 (single) or $250,000 (couple).

Tupou says these thresholds make the visa unattainable for many Pacific Islanders, who often belong to lower socioeconomic brackets.

Tongan lawyer Nalesoni Tupou. Photo/Supplied

“This policy is focused on the upper level of the economy to allow parents to be here, not in the lower level of the socioeconomic people, because of the limit or the minimum required income by the sponsor in New Zealand to allow their parents to be here,” Tupou tells PMN News.

“Not many Pacific Islanders will have that minimum level of income.”

In response to Tupou’s concerns, Luxon contends that the policy mirrors Canada's successful model, saying that it was "never designed" as a pathway to residency but as a way to facilitate more extended family visits.

“This has really come from the community, they've said that they wanted that option and that support,” Luxon says.

Listen to Nalesoni Tupou's full interview below.

“You've got to find the balance because at the end of the day, these are people that have not paid into the New Zealand tax system for 40 years and built up our public services, and so you've got to be able to have some income requirements around it that they can genuinely support themselves.

“The New Zealand government shouldn't be supporting people.”

Luxon also pointed out that three other existing visas for parents and grandparents, including residency and retirement pathways, suggest the 'Parent Boost' visa is an additional, targeted option rather than a solution.

Luxon further reiterated New Zealand’s position on the conflict in Gaza, describing it as a "catastrophe" and calling for immediate humanitarian aid access, a ceasefire, and a two-state solution.

Immigration Minister Erica Stanford and Prime Minister Christopher Luxon made the announcement on Sunday in Takanini. Photo/Erica Stanford Facebook

“It’s so important, and so I think that's what we're all calling on across the world now is to say, look, ‘Israel, it's unacceptable. You have to be able to get people aid and assistance’. You have to be able to make sure that you protect citizens.”

Luxon describes the recent parliamentary suspensions of Te Pāti Māori MPs as a "distraction" from the government's core economic and social priorities.

“You've got to follow the norms, protocols, and rules around Parliament. It's not the fact that they did haka or waiata.

“We love seeing that. It's the fact they didn't follow the rules in Parliament, and you've got to have a democracy. You've got to be able to function and be able to discuss difficult and tough stuff without people degenerating into just not following protocols and rules.”

Watch Christopher Luxon's full interview below.