Finance Minister Nicola Willis has strongly criticised coalition partner Shane Jones and members of New Zealand First over comments made about New Zealand’s free trade agreement with India, accusing them of using divisive rhetoric.
According to a report by Stuff, speaking in Parliament on Wednesday, Willis condemned what she described as “race-based scaremongering” after Jones referred to the agreement as a “butter chicken tsunami”. National Party MPs backed her remarks from the benches, calling out “shameful! Shameful!” during the debate.
“It offended me and let me tell you, it has offended New Zealanders of Indian descent up and down this country... who are hurt and feel betrayed,” Willis said, Stuff has quoted.
“Shame on you, Shane Jones,” she added. “That kind of race-based rhetoric has no place in New Zealand politics.”
The dispute has further exposed tensions within the coalition government, which have intensified in recent weeks after Winston Peters criticised National Party leaders as “inexperienced”, “egotistical” and self-obsessed following a recent confidence vote, as reported by Stuff.
Willis also accused the opposition New Zealand Labour Party of allowing anti-immigration sentiment to grow unchecked, although Labour MP Kieran McAnulty rejected the claim during parliamentary exchanges.
According to Stuff, the controversy began after Jones criticised immigration provisions included in the India trade deal. Under the agreement, New Zealand will offer 1,667 temporary employment visas annually to Indian citizens, with the total number of temporary work visas potentially reaching 5,000.
The deal also includes 1,000 annual working holiday visas for Indian citizens under 30, easier access for postgraduate students, and a special category allowing up to 200 visas annually for Indian chefs, yoga instructors, musicians and traditional healers.
Jones defended the substance of his concerns this week, saying the immigration components of the trade pact troubled New Zealand First.
“I don't like blockchain immigration,” he said.
“It seems very odd that one of the features of the free trade deal is an unfettered path for more Indian chefs. But look, I don't want to reprise what was last week's news,” he added, as quoted by Stuff
Prime Minister Christopher Luxon initially stopped short of calling Jones’ comments racist, though he described the language as “alarmist” and “unhelpful”.
“What I actually want to see is a tsunami of kiwifruit going to India,” Luxon later said after criticism of the remarks intensified, Stuff has quoted.
National MP Carlos Cheung, who represents Mt Roskill, also condemned Jones’ comments and said members of his electorate were upset.
“Any political leader shouldn’t use ethnic communities as a political football,” he said, Stuff has quoted.
“I think any racist comment is unacceptable.”
Trade Minister Todd McClay defended the agreement, saying Indian negotiators had specifically requested the chef and yoga instructor visas because of the cultural importance of those professions.
“It is a work permit for three years only. It is capped at a small number compared to some of the other areas,” McClay said, as quoted by Stuff.
He also argued the deal would improve opportunities for New Zealand businesspeople travelling to India.
Although New Zealand First opposes the agreement, it is expected to pass in Parliament with support from Labour. McClay travelled to India earlier this week to finalise the deal, which will still undergo parliamentary scrutiny before being fully approved, Stuff has reported.