New Zealand should not be taking migrants from countries which' treat women like cattle'.

Speaking to TVNZ's Q+A today, New Zealand First leader 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 at the border to check that they respected New Zealand's "views".

He said the policy was not based on race.

Mr Peters said New Zealand wants people who salute our flag, respect our laws, honour our institutions and don't bring anti-women attitudes with them, treating women 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.

He said 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.