Prime Minister John Key is being accused of playing politics over immigration, in an attempt to put Pacific voters off the Labour Party.
Labour leader David Cunliffe has said a Labour government would look to rein in immigration numbers, in part to take pressure off the housing market.
Labour insists any such move would not affect Pacific immigrants.
But during a visit to Samoa, Mr Key said there was no way Pacific people wanting to come to New Zealand would be unaffected by the policies.
"(Labour) said one area that they'll clamp down on is potentially family reunification, and that does have a really big impact.
"What of course it means is that a Samoan, say, father or mother living in Samoa that gets a job in New Zealand, or comes under other various friendship treaty categories, will be able to come to New Zealand - but potentially they're making the case that their family might not."
John Key welcomed with an 'ava ceremony in the village of Poutasi, Upolu island, Samoa. Photo: RNZ / Jane Patterson
Labour's foreign affairs spokesperson, David Shearer, who is also on the Pacific visit, said there was no chance of the policy affecting Pacific immigration levels.
"I think Key is playing politics on an international trip, which he shouldn't do. "There's no chance of it affecting the immigration levels from Pacific Island countries," he said.
Mr Key and a number of opposition MPs have travelled from Samoa in Tonga on the second leg of a Pacific tour, and will head to Niue on Thursday.
