Coalition MPs Denounce Shane Jones’ 'Butter Chicken' Comments as Racist

National and ACT MPs condemn Shane Jones' "butter chicken tsunami" comment, with some calling it racist while others dismiss it as "lame dad jokes."

By: AXL Media

Published: Apr 23, 2026, 5:46 AM EDT

Source: RNZ Pacific

Direct Charges of Racism

National MP for Mount Roskill, Dr. Carlos Cheung, became one of the first government members to explicitly label the comments as racist. As a migrant himself, Cheung noted that the remarks had caused significant hurt within the diverse community he represents.

"Any racist comment is unacceptable," Cheung stated. "I feel that it is racist, this is why we want to stand by my Indian community... my migrant community."

"Lame Dad Jokes" and Policy Distractions

ACT Leader David Seymour took a different approach, dismissing the comments as "really lame dad jokes" while simultaneously criticizing them for adding nothing to the legitimate policy debate on immigration. Seymour suggested that ridiculing a group based on food choices was unproductive and historically confused.

"As one of our Indian members has said... 'half of us are vegetarian anyway.' Second of all, we thought that butter chicken was an English dish; why does Shane Jones hate the English?" Seymour quipped.