"The pressure we have seen on housing and infrastructure in recent years means we need to get ahead of population growth."
The government would strengthen employer requirements and labour market tests before a migrant could be hired so temporary workers were only recruited for genuine job shortages.
The skilled migrant category would also be reviewed, he said.
New border exemptions would allow 200 high-value investors to travel to New Zealand in the next year to see if they wanted to invest.
The tourism industry would also be scrutinised to look at lifting industry standards and to encourage innovation and improvements.
"The exploitation of temporary migrant workers - such as paying less than the minimum wage or making people work excessive hours - is unacceptable and breaches New Zealand law," Nash said.