The Immigration Minister's responding to New Zealand First's concerns about migrant visa changes

Two new pathways to residence have been announced for skilled migrants - under a work experience or trades and technicians route.

NZ First's invoked a rare agree to disagree clause - and calls the immigration policy unfocussed.

But Erica Stanford says some exclusions will apply, and this has been done carefully.

She says it doesn't represent a flood of people and says it's a small, targeted number of highly-skilled people.