Winston Peters: Migrants should be interviewed at border

Speaking to TVNZ's Q+A today, Winston Peters said migration should be limited to a maximum of 15,000 people a year and he called for every migrant to be interviewed. Photo / Andrew Bonnallack

New Zealand should not be taking migrants from countries which "treat women like cattle", New Zealand First leader Winston Peters says.

Speaking to TVNZ's Q+A today, Mr Peters said migration should be limited to a maximum of 15,000 people a year and he called for every migrant to be interviewed at the border to check that they respected New Zealand's "views".

The policy was not based on race, he said.

"They could come from anywhere in the world, as they have, and some have been brilliant people who have come into this country as both refugees and immigrants," Mr Peters said.

"But here's what we want. We want them to salute our flag, respect our laws, honour our institutions and, above all, don't bring absolutely anti-women attitudes with them, treating women like cattle, like fourth-class citizens."

Asked how he would choose who came to New Zealand, he said: "You interview each one".

Mr Peters said he did not know the cost of vetting all migrants at the border, but there was a "massive cost" to New Zealand of not controlling immigration.

Economist Michael Reddell told Q+A that cutting migrant numbers would help to bring down the cost of housing.

An immediate reduction in immigration to between 10,000 and 15,000 people a year would lead to a drop in house prices in Auckland within two years, he predicted.

"That would take a huge burden off young New Zealanders, particular poor New Zealanders trying to get their first house."

Around half of migrants are believed to settle in Auckland.

The Government has ruled out stemming the flow of migrants, saying that a large proportion of arrivals are returning New Zealanders.

It also says high net migration is only one part of a rare "trifecta" of economic trends - along with low interest rates and high confidence in the economy - which are putting pressure on housing and infrastructure.