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'Butter Chicken Tsunami': Shane Jones’ India-Linked Immigration Remark Triggers Row in New Zealand Parliament
NZ First said the deal could allow more than 20,000 Indian migrants and require NZ$34 billion in investment over 15 years, officials said.
- On Monday, Regional Development Shane Jones sparked outrage by deriding a planned free-trade deal with India as a "butter chicken tsunami," as Wellington is poised to sign the agreement in New Delhi next week.
- First, a ruling coalition partner, withdrew support over concerns regarding a NZ$34 billion investment bound by the deal, while officials estimate the agreement could facilitate more than 20,000 Indian migrants entering the country.
- Opposition lawmaker Priyanca Radhakrishnan described the remarks as "outright racism" and "unacceptable," while Auckland Indian Association president Shanti Patel called the comments "incredibly worrying."
- Prime Minister Christopher Luxon labeled Jones' comments "unhelpful," while the coalition split now forces the government to secure Labour Party votes when legislation goes before Parliament in coming months.
- The government previously hailed the deal as a "once in a generation" opportunity giving businesses access to India's vast domestic market, though passage now hinges on Labour Party support amid the fractured coalition.
18 Articles
18 Articles
Jones condemned for 'distasteful' comments
Shane Jones likened the free trade deal with India to a "butter chicken tsunami" coming to New Zealand. Photo: RNZ Blessen Tom of RNZ The country's Indian community has strongly condemned recent comments from New Zealand First MP Shane Jones on a free trade agreement with India.
'Butter chicken' commentary meets a nation on edge
It was a provocative, headline-grabbing line designed to cut through. When New Zealand First deputy leader Shane Jones spoke against the free trade deal with India this week, warning of a “butter chicken tsunami”, it landed in a country already shifting uneasily beneath the surface. Because at the same time, new research from Simplicity’s chief economist Shamubeel Eaqub, produced for the Helen Clark Foundation, revealed Kiwis are becoming less c…
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