A former Immigration Minister is accusing members of the coalition Government of putting out misinformation about partnership visas.

Immigration New Zealand has been told to go back to using discretion when granting the visas after upset in the Indian community, where arranged marriages are common.

Deputy Prime Minister Winston Peters says his party influenced the change, but Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern says that Cabinet never approved changes.

Tuariki Delamere told Mike Hosking Ardern, Peters and New Zealand First MP Shane Jones are saying people have to live together for 12 months to get partnership visas.

"That's only the case for residents. For temporary visa, a partnership only needs to have the couple 18 years or older, they've met, and their partnership is genuine."

He also doubts that the Immigration Minister is keeping tabs on what's happening in his own patch.

Delamere says it's frustrating Iain Lees-Galloway can't stop the agency continually breaching policy and the law.

"Iain gives the impression that he's not up to the play as far as what's going on on a day to day basis."