Government Disagreement on Immigration Rules

May 4, 2026, 03:28
New ZealandPolitics

Introduction

Minister Erica Stanford does not like the new immigration plan from the Act Party.

Main Body

The Act Party wants a new tax for people with work visas. This tax is six dollars every day. Minister Stanford says this is too expensive. She thinks small farms and businesses cannot pay this money. David Seymour leads the Act Party. He says the tax is important. He thinks the government needs money for roads and buildings because there are more people in the country. Winston Peters leads New Zealand First. He says the Act Party's plan is not good enough. He wants to make a different and bigger plan for immigration.

Conclusion

The political partners do not agree on the new tax or the immigration rules.

Learning

💡 How to say what people think

In this story, we see a pattern for sharing opinions. To reach A2, you need to connect a person to their thought.

The Pattern: Person + says / thinks + (that) + Idea

Examples from the text:

  • Minister Stanford →\rightarrow says →\rightarrow this is too expensive.
  • David Seymour →\rightarrow says →\rightarrow the tax is important.
  • He →\rightarrow thinks →\rightarrow the government needs money.

Quick Guide:

  • Use Says for things people speak out loud.
  • Use Thinks for ideas inside their head.

Common A2 Mistake: ❌ He say the tax is good. (Wrong) ✅ He says the tax is good. (Correct - add the 's' for one person!)

Vocabulary Learning

government (n.)
the group that runs a country
Example:The government will hold a meeting tomorrow.
immigration (n.)
the process of moving into a country
Example:Immigration rules are strict.
rules (n.)
the instructions that must be followed
Example:The rules of the game are clear.
minister (n.)
a senior official in charge of a department
Example:The minister announced a new policy.
plan (n.)
an idea about what to do
Example:We have a plan to improve the roads.
tax (n.)
a fee that the government collects
Example:You have to pay a tax on your earnings.
people (n.)
humans
Example:Many people came to the protest.
visas (n.)
documents that allow entry to a country
Example:She applied for a tourist visa.
dollars (n.)
the currency used in the United States
Example:The price is 10 dollars.
day (n.)
a 24-hour period
Example:Today is a sunny day.
expensive (adj.)
costing a lot of money
Example:That watch is expensive.
small (adj.)
not large
Example:He lives in a small house.
farms (n.)
places where crops or animals are raised
Example:The farms produce fresh milk.
businesses (n.)
companies that sell goods or services
Example:Many businesses closed during the lockdown.
pay (v.)
to give money for something
Example:You must pay the bill.
money (n.)
currency used to buy things
Example:I need more money for groceries.
lead (v.)
to guide or direct
Example:She will lead the team to victory.
important (adj.)
of great value or significance
Example:It is important to study.
needs (v.)
requires something
Example:The city needs new roads.
roads (n.)
paths for vehicles
Example:The roads were closed for repairs.
buildings (n.)
structures with a roof and walls
Example:The buildings were built in the 1900s.
country (n.)
a nation with its own government
Example:Australia is a large country.
different (adj.)
not the same
Example:We have different opinions.
bigger (adj.)
larger in size
Example:The new house is bigger.
political (adj.)
relating to government or politics
Example:Political debates are common.
partners (n.)
people who work together
Example:The partners signed an agreement.
agree (v.)
to have the same opinion
Example:They agree on the plan.
new (adj.)
recently made or created
Example:This is a new idea.