New Zealand First leader Winston Peters has suggested migrants could be shut out of benefits, including jobseeker payments, unless they take up citizenship, building on the superannuation crackdown his party unveiled at the weekend.
Peters made the comment on TVNZ's Breakfast when host Tova O'Brien asked what would stop people losing super under the new policy from simply claiming a jobseeker benefit instead.
"In the end, you'll need to also be a citizen to get that sort of benefit as well," he said.
New Zealand First announced a policy in Hamilton on Sunday that only New Zealand citizens would be eligible for NZ Super from 2029. Under current rules, permanent residents and residence-class visa holders can also qualify.
Asked directly whether NZ First wanted to restrict residents' access to benefits, Peters, who is Foreign Minister in the coalition government, said only that he was there to discuss super and would address welfare "next time".
"When it comes to benefits, I'll talk about that next time I make a statement about benefits. In the middle of this campaign, I talk about that."
National's finance spokesperson Nicola Willis has argued people pushed off super could shift onto the jobseeker benefit, a position Peters rejected outright.
"With the greatest respect, she doesn't know what she's talking about. That's not what they'll be able to do. They can't do it in other countries."
Peters could not say how many people would be affected or how much the change would save.
"The facts are we don't know, but the figure is up to a billion dollars of cost," he told Breakfast.
"In the end, you'll need to also be a citizen to get that sort of benefit as well," Peters told Breakfast. (Source: Breakfast)
Peters refused to say whether the superannuation policy would be a bottom line in any coalition negotiations after November's election, describing such framing as "stupid".
"I'm the most experienced person in New Zealand politics. Please don't talk to me about bottom lines and those sort of stupid statements," he said.
Pacific Islands Forum
The interview came after Peters returned from the Pacific Islands Forum in Palau, which closed with a leaders' statement registering concern over missile testing in the region but stopping short of naming China as responsible.
Peters defended the decision not to single out any country, saying the compromise had been hard-won.
"It was difficult to get to the compromise that we did. It took days and months and months to flog it out, but we got there in the end," he said.
"If we can get at least a statement, even if there's one demur from one country or two countries, then let's make a statement so this does not become an acceptable precedent."
Peters rejected suggestions the forum had cooled New Zealand's relationship with China, taking aim at commentators he said lacked briefings.
"We have a close relationship with China, but we also have a relationship that is mature enough where, when we disagree, we can say so. That's accepted, and I've said so."
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