Deputy Prime Minister Winston Peters has told Mike Hosking New Zealand needed more "expert" help in terms of immigration.
Peters said that immigration was a bottom line for its support at the next election because the "other parties can't be trusted" with the portfolio.
"We're sick and tired of having discussions with people who say 'we'll do this and we'll do that' and they don't. It's just that unfair and not right ... we will not make that mistake again."
NZ First says it wants to restrict immigration to a net growth of 15,000 people a year.
The "bottom line" threat was "seriously real", Peter said.
He said New Zealand didn't need 13,000 chefs to be allowed to migrate here, but did need skilled workers.
"... we're going to eat our way to wealth? It's just nonsensical."
Hosking asked Peters about his adjusted immigration figures - from 10,000 people to 15,000 - and whether it was recognition that with borders closing and the country would need help.
Peters agreed more "expert help" was needed, which was why it was being looked at.
He had talked to business people, he said it was a "very, very conservative number but we think it's about right".
When asked that none of the parties delivered on any figure and why should any be believed, Peters said they weren't in charge of those decisions.
"Well the reality is they weren't in charge of that, that's why I'm saying next time we want that portfolio and that is the bottom line because other parties can't be trusted on this issue. I know what Labour promised before the last election and I know what we negotiated and it just didn't happen."
Hosking put to Peters that immigration did lead to growth which may be what New Zealand needed, with borders and tourism possibly a problem long term.
"Well that's a great fallacy, it doesn't lead to growth ... it doesn't lead to export growth, it doesn't lead to added growth in your own country ... it is purely consumption."
He said NZ First had delivered on everything they had promised during the current term of government.
He declined to answer whether he would support a Labour or National-led government at the next election, saying he would want to seek the opinion of his colleagues before making a decision.
When asked about his "woke pixie dust" comments and whether NZ First had been damaged by association with Labour and the Greens, Peters said "you always get damaged by association - they'd probably say the same about us".
"The difference is we have delivered on everything we said we could ... you always get contaminated."
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