New Zealand Foreign Affairs Minister Winston Peters has openly criticised the recently finalised Free Trade Agreement (FTA) between India and New Zealand. He called it “neither free nor fair” and labelled it a “bad deal” for the country. Peters expressed concerns that the agreement offers too many concessions to India, particularly on immigration.
New Zealand First is regrettably opposed to the India Free Trade Agreement announced today.
We consider the India-New Zealand Free Trade Agreement to be neither free nor fair.
Regrettably, this is a bad deal for New Zealand. It gives too much away, especially on immigration,…
— Winston Peters (@winstonpeters) December 22, 2025
Trade Deal Faces Concerns
He added that it fails to deliver adequate benefits for New Zealand, especially for farmers and rural communities. One of the major points of contention is that the FTA excludes New Zealand’s key dairy exports, including milk, cheese, and butter. These exports were valued at $24 billion until November 2025, accounting for nearly 30% of the nation’s goods exports.
Peters also criticised immigration concessions for Indian workers and students. He argued that the deal could strain New Zealand’s labour market amid existing economic pressures.
Despite his opposition, Peters clarified that this is a difference of opinion within the coalition government. He emphasised that it is not a critique of India or its negotiators, while reaffirming his commitment to strengthening India–New Zealand relations.
