Indians slam New Zealand minister for ‘butter chicken tsunami’ remarks: ‘outright racism’

AdvertisementNew ZealandAsiaAustralasiaIndians slam New Zealand minister for ‘butter chicken tsunami’ remarks: ‘outright racism’A free-trade agreement, to be signed next week, could see more than 20,000 Indian migrants entering New Zealand, officials say 1-MIN READ1-MIN ListenAgence France-PressePublished: 8:33am, 22 Apr 2026A senior New Zealand minister has sparked outrage by deriding a planned free-trade deal with India as a “butter chicken tsunami”.Wellington is poised to sign a free-trade agreement with India in New Delhi next week.The New Zealand government has hailed it as a “once in a generation” deal that will give its businesses access to the world’s most populated country’s vast domestic market. AdvertisementBut its ruling coalition partner, the right-wing populist NZ First party, has pulled support over fears it will open the country’s borders to thousands of Indian nationals. The split will mean the government will need the opposition Labour Party to vote in favour when legislation goes before parliament in the coming months. AdvertisementOn Monday, the party’s deputy leader and Minister for Regional Development Shane Jones said his party would “never accept” the deal. Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi (right) hugs his New Zealand counterpart, Christopher Luxon, following a meeting at Hyderabad House in New Delhi on March 17, 2025. Photo: EPA-EFEAdvertisementSelect VoiceSelect Speed0.8x0.9x1.0x1.1x1.2x1.5x1.75x00:0000:001.00x